![]() This theory combines the 5 different string theories (along with a previously abandoned attempt to unify General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics called 11D-Supergravity) into one theory. In 1995 Edward Witten started what has been called the Second Superstring Revolution by introducing M-theory to the world. String theory is supposed to be a theory of everything so there should be only one version, not 5. Each version allows different kinds of strings and says they work in different ways. Such tricks are allowed if they give a theory that can better tell us how things work.Īnother problem with string theory is that there are 5 different versions of it. This can be looked at as a mathematical trick-a trick that has little to do with the real world that can be seen and touched. The 6 other directions can be thought of as tiny spirals - strings can move along them a great distance but not seem to move. ![]() For example, by following the path of a spiral, it is possible to go a great distance along it without moving very far. These six other directions can be explained if they are "curled up", so they are much too small to see. 3 of these basic directions can be thought of as "up/down", "forward/backward" and "left/right". Normally, we think of the universe as having 4 dimensions, or basic directions. So, string theory successfully brings General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics together.īut there are some problems with string theory. String theory includes particles that cause gravity, called gravitons finding this out delighted the scientists who work on string theory. Now there is only one number with no explanation, which gives the size of the strings. ![]() Many of these problems can be solved by thinking of basic particles as strings. There are also problems with the Standard Model: it includes about 20 numbers that seem to have no explanation it has too many basic particles - some scientists think it needs to have fewer and it does not include gravity, which is needed to explain weight. Albert Einstein's theory that describes the universe on very large scales (it is called general relativity), and it disagrees with two theories that describe things on very small scales (they are called quantum mechanics and the standard model). String theory has been developed because of a very important problem that has existed for almost 100 years. They seem to break such rules as causality and special relativity, which says that information cannot travel faster than the speed of light. The reason scientists had not thought of this idea for so long is that strings are much harder to work with than points. Each basic particle is created by the strings vibrating in different patterns. These strings are so small that even when looked at very closely they look like points. String theory says that this is wrong and that the simplest objects in the universe are shaped like pieces of string. For hundreds of years, scientists have thought that the simplest objects in the universe are points, like dots. ![]() To understand M-theory one must first have some knowledge of string theory. If ever proven true, M-theory and string theory would mean big progress for science. The idea, or theory, often causes arguments among scientists, because there is no way to test it to see if it is true. M-theory is a new idea in small-particle physics that is part of superstring theory that was initially proposed by Edward Witten. You can help Wikipedia by finding good sources, and adding them. ![]()
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