String Theory

JENSEN 1

String Theory String theory is a still-developing approach to theoretical physics, an attempt to reconcile quantum mechanics with general relativity, and a widely debated subject since its birth in the early 1990s. It unites the theory of gravity, the conflict of electromagnetism, and quantum physics into a single theory described as T.O.E.: the theory of everything. String theory describes a method through which the forces of our universe, previously believed to be in a self-contradictory, paradoxical state, may interact in harmony. This paper will attempt to provide basic information about string theory and an argument of its truth. The theory begins with the smallest particles that physicists have identified: electrons, protons, neutrons, and quarks (atoms cut in half). These particles are the tiny building blocks of life from which all matter

is based, and they appear to have no further internal substructure. According to accepted and proven theories of today, these particles are as small as matter gets. According to string theory, that is false. String theory states that if scientists could examine these particles with a precision and magnitude many times greater than is currently possible, they would discover that rather than a point these particles are a loop. Like an infinitely thin rubber band, each particle is a vibrating filament called a string. This idea, however, is extremely controversial. It unravels the fundamental principles of the universe as we know them today. Up until string theory was suggested, it was generally believed that the universe is based upon a point-particle perspective: that the smallest unit of matter is a point. Entire studies have been based upon the knowledge that the reactions of life occur because of infinitely small points reacting with each other. String theory states that rather than points; life is enabled by filament reactions, that everything can be explained by looking at the movements of these circular strings. A generally accepted and appreciated view of string theory is that it unites two concepts, which have hitherto remained contradictory: gravity and electromagnetism. The theories of today state that both forces cannot exist; yet, according to the anthropic principle, they do. Gravity: the attraction pull of mass on mass, and electromagnetism: the inter-atomic pull of negatively charged electrons and positively charged protons. According to point-particle physics, these forces should not be able to coincide. Gravity and

JENSEN 3 electromagnetism are both strong forces, and a point particle cannot react to the pull of both simultaneously. However, a flexible, circular string particle would be able to respond to both attractions. These are the basics of string theory and what it states. However, there are problems with string theory. It is incredibly difficult to visualize a universe made of string particles. They behave unpredictably and appear to react with each other randomly, regardless of distance. Sometimes they behave like particles, other times like waves. The theory has been proven multiple times, but it is complicated to imagine a universe out of a set of equations. The theory remained in the dark until Hugh Everett proposed a strange and daring new explanation. Everett claimed that our universe is just one of an infinite number of parallel universes existing side by side. Each of these is constantly splitting, so there is a universe where Hitler won the war, a universe where the atomic bomb was never invented, and one where you didn’t brush your teeth this morning. Every choice that every person has made or not made and every choice that every person will make or not make exists in a universe parallel to ours. This suggests that we pass through these universes with every choice we make. Instead of time passing us by, we pass through time, formed by the multiverse. Time is an infinite series of parallel universes. Everett called this the “many worlds” interpretation of quantum mechanics, and his explanation was consistent with string theory equations, yet it is incredibly difficult to comprehend. There are an

infinite number of parallel universes constantly splitting with every choice that has ever been made, is being made, and will be made. Past, present, and future exist at once, and as we make choices we pass through the different universes according to our decisions. A simple experiment was performed that proved the truth of the theory: two walls were set up, one in front of the other. The first wall had a single vertical slit in it, through which a light was shone. On the second wall one could see a single bar of white light. Then, instead of one slit, there was a wall with two vertical slits in it. On the second wall one could see a series of bars of light. This pattern is created because of the way the photons (single particles of light energy) react off of each other. This is a known fact, proven and unquestioned. The light pattern on the wall would look something like this:

*(The spaces in between represent the light shining through from the slits in the first wall.)

Scientists repeated this experiment, sending the photons through one at a time with a weak light and extremely sensitive detectors. The photons should have made a pattern like this:

JENSEN 5

Since they were sent through one at a time, the photons should not react off of each other and should create the above pattern of alternating light and dark spaces. However, the photons still created the first pattern. This should not be possible, since no apparent reactions were occurring. However, when we take into account Everett’s theory, this can be explained. The photons created the first pattern because they were reacting off of photons from universes parallel to ours. In a universe split off of our own, the reactions were able to occur and create the pattern. String theory is a complicated and unique theory that attempts to explain the mechanics of the universe. It defies modern science by suggesting a universe based upon string like particles, yet reconciles two opposing forces: gravity and electromagnetism. Finally, string theory states that an infinite amount of universes exist parallel to ours and are constantly splitting and changing. No one has yet been able to successfully prove the theory wrong, and it is the most current and believable theory available today.