What is String Theory & Why is it Important re Understanding the Universe? In Layman's Terms

 Hello!

I'm at it again-looking into theories about the Universe and everything in it-especially us. However, if I'm going to understand it, then hopefully so are you! Maybe you've heard of the phrase 'string theory'-lots of scientists and theorists seem to be talking about it. 


So What is String Theory?

Theorists are looking to achieve what is known as the grand unification. This  is like a formula for the existence of everything combing general relativity and quantum physics (the old and the new)-gravity, electromagnetism & nuclear force (strong and weak). If this feat is managed, we may see a lot of our well-known laws of physics replaced. 

As science unravels the mysteries of the universe, it's zooming in on the minute building blocks that everything is comprised of. String theory proposes (so it doesn't know for sure) that everything is made up of tiny little vibrating strings . These strings are apparently open like a shoelace or closed in a formed loop.  The strings ride around the universe (which is all of space and time AKA spacetime) on sheet-like objects known as branes (short for membranes).

On top of the strings and the branes, theorists suggest that there are also dimensions that we cannot see, hidden away from our senses, that are also having an impact on everything. 

As it stands, string theory is practically useless and may be so for a long time. So what's the point? Well every great discovery by us human seems to start of with a theory that eventually leads to something of vast importance. The best example is Albert Einstein creating the renowned equation E = mc2  formula which has helped us understand the most basic natural processes in the universe. One use of the formula is in radiocarbon dating used by archaeologists to determine how old things are. The worldwide global positioning system (GPS) also are based around Einstein's correlation to time calculations.

I suppose the question has to be asked - do we need to understand the universe? Couldn't we just accept that it moves in mysterious ways and get on with our lives? I'm afraid that's just not in our nature as human beings. We question and we dare to dream and these actions seem to be bound up in our very evolution. Where it's going to lead us to-who knows?



Thanks for reading

Matt AKA Chillichap

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