• Question: What is string theory?

    Asked by ciananb123 to Amy, Karen, Sarah, Vijay, Will on 19 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by darkgolbournster1.
    • Photo: Karen Reed

      Karen Reed answered on 19 Jun 2012:

      Hiya – good question and not an easy one to explain – even the physics people get stuck on this one if you delve in really deeply. In fact its still a work in progress. But from a non-experts on this, as I understand it its a theory to try and explain the really REALLY small stuff to do with quantum physics (sorry can;t explain what that is – just small stuff) and general relativity. What you have to do is image that instead of things being a dot, they are actually really REALLY small bits of stringy energy, and you got to get you head around there being 12 dimentions.
      OK i’ve failed to answer your question sorry – I tried – can the others do better (if not I’m googling answers) 🙂

    • Photo: Sarah Martin

      Sarah Martin answered on 19 Jun 2012:

      Hi ciananb123,

      People used to think that molecules can’t be separated into smaller bits… then they found atoms! Then they thought that atom’s can’t be split… then they found protons, neutrons and electrons! Then they thought they don’t contain smaller bits… then they found bits called quarks inside neutrons and protons! And now people think that the smallest bits are actually strings, which are inside quarks, and have specific vibrations, and could help us explain gravity, which until now an unsolved mystery!

      Here’s a great video that explains what string theory is by a particle physicists!
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyPNvxCqJ0M
      And here’s a really whackey one that makes it all sound much more complicated!

      All clear?

      🙂 Sarah

Comments