The Theory of Everything?

Have you ever wondered how the universe was created and how it came to be the way it is today? This theory could answer this question along with other questions we have about the universe and its existence. 

The theory that is often described as the leading candidate for the theory of everything in our universe, is known as string theory. The way string theory came to be was through the means of fixing a math problem and coming up with a solution. Theorists can predict what a gravity particle should look like, but when they try to calculate what happens when two gravitons smash together, they get an infinite amount of energy packed into a small space. This is a sign that the math is missing something. Due to this error, scientists thought of a solution, which theorists borrowed from nuclear physicists in the 1970's, is to get rid of the problematic which is point like graviton particles. String theory was established according to space.com because, "Strings, and only strings, can collide and rebound cleanly without implying physically impossible infinities" (Space.com).

String theory was introduced by physicist Edward Witten in 1995. String theory proposes that the fundamental constituents of the universe are one-dimensional "strings" rather than point like particles we are familiar with today. We think of particles as point particles made up of protons, electrons, and neutrons. String theory introduces the idea that the particles we are familiar with today are actually made up of small strings that form loops and these strings have vibrations that all have different frequencies. String theory describes how these strings propagate through space and interact with each other. Thus, string theory is a theory of quantum gravity. 

String theory originated as an attempt to understand the interactions of particles such as a proton or electron. This theory then grew into something more ambitious. It turned into an approach to the construction of a complete unified theory of all fundamental particles and forces within the universe itself. Because of this, string theory gets a little complicated. In order for physicists and astronomers to understand this concept they would need to incorporate gravity into the picture. Not only does this theory embrace gravity, but it requires it. Another reason this theory gets complicated is because string theory also requires six or seven extra dimensions of space, and because of this, it contains ways of relating large extra dimensions to to small dimensions. String theory has also led to the concept of supersymmetry, which would double the number of elementary particles. 

According to symmetrymagazine.org "Practitioners are optimistic that string theory will eventually make predictions that can be experimentally tested" (Symmetry magazine). Because of this, string theory has already had a big impact on pure mathematics, cosmology, and the way particle physicists interpret experiments, by suggesting possibilities to explore and new approaches. If string theory was proven, it would be an explanation of all forces and matter in one mathematical picture. One philosopher has even argued that string theory's status, as the only known consistent theory, counts as evidence that the theory is correct. 

References:

John H. Schwarz, California Institute of Technology. “String Theory.” Symmetry Magazine, John H. Schwarz , 2007, www.symmetrymagazine.org/article/may-2007/explain-it-in-60-seconds-string-theory. 

Wolchover, Natalie, and substantive Quanta Magazine moderates comments to facilitate an informed. “Why Is M-Theory the Leading Candidate for Theory of Everything?” Quanta Magazine, 18 Dec. 2017, www.quantamagazine.org/why-is-m-theory-the-leading-candidate-for-theory-of-everything-20171218/. 

Wood, Charlie. “What Is String Theory?” Space.com, Space, 11 July 2019, www.space.com/17594-string-theory.html.