Wednesday, May 15, 2002
TOE: Theory of Everything
Many scientists believe we are on the verge of discovering a Theory of Everything, a unifying set of equations that describe our entire existense. Up until now there have been 2 theories that have advanced the way we view the world. Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity is used to talk about the behaviour of planets, stars, entire galaxies. The second, Quantum Mechanics describes how we view the world at a sub-atomic level. Both theories have proven useful in describing our physical existence and yet there are parts of each that do not reconcile with one another. The great quest of the later part of the 20th century has been in reconciling these 2 seemingly different theories into one TOE, the Theory of Everything. Stephen Hawking has reportedly said that he believes there's a 50-50 chance that a completely unified theory will be uncovered effectively reaching the end of physics. The most promising candidate is emerging as String Theory.
String Theory replaces the concept of fundamental particles we all learned in highschool. Instead of an electron there's a subatomic looped string of energy. All properties of particles we observe are just the patterns of these strings vibrating. From a mathematical view point, the equations of String Theory are thought to be solvable by an infinite set of solutions. Thing is only one describes our universe. So what are these other solutions then? Well get ready to bend that brain, the infinite set of solutions implies that there are perhaps multiple if not infinite universes. Each solution set would describe a different and unique universe.
This is certainly a simplistic description but it's the only one I'm able to offer. Only a few select individuals understand String Theory in it's totality for obvious reasons. Hope it makes ya go hmmmm though. Head to the Science and Nature part of your bookstore.
Many scientists believe we are on the verge of discovering a Theory of Everything, a unifying set of equations that describe our entire existense. Up until now there have been 2 theories that have advanced the way we view the world. Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity is used to talk about the behaviour of planets, stars, entire galaxies. The second, Quantum Mechanics describes how we view the world at a sub-atomic level. Both theories have proven useful in describing our physical existence and yet there are parts of each that do not reconcile with one another. The great quest of the later part of the 20th century has been in reconciling these 2 seemingly different theories into one TOE, the Theory of Everything. Stephen Hawking has reportedly said that he believes there's a 50-50 chance that a completely unified theory will be uncovered effectively reaching the end of physics. The most promising candidate is emerging as String Theory.
String Theory replaces the concept of fundamental particles we all learned in highschool. Instead of an electron there's a subatomic looped string of energy. All properties of particles we observe are just the patterns of these strings vibrating. From a mathematical view point, the equations of String Theory are thought to be solvable by an infinite set of solutions. Thing is only one describes our universe. So what are these other solutions then? Well get ready to bend that brain, the infinite set of solutions implies that there are perhaps multiple if not infinite universes. Each solution set would describe a different and unique universe.
This is certainly a simplistic description but it's the only one I'm able to offer. Only a few select individuals understand String Theory in it's totality for obvious reasons. Hope it makes ya go hmmmm though. Head to the Science and Nature part of your bookstore.
