• Question: Do you think string theory's theoretical framework proves that point like particles will replace "strings"

    Asked by Almighty King Thomas II to Triona, Simone, Kieran, Julia, Hugh, Emily on 11 Nov 2018.
    • Photo: Kieran

      Kieran answered on 11 Nov 2018:

      String theory is a theoretical framework in which the point-like particles of particle physics are replaced by one-dimensional objects called strings. It does not aim to prove that point-like particles will replace “strings”. In theory “strings” and conventional particles are one and the same.

    • Photo: Hugh Manning

      Hugh Manning answered on 14 Nov 2018:

      String theory has yet to make any predictions that we could actually test experimentally.
      Where as the standard model has held up very well, the description of point like particles also isn’t entirely correct as the uncertainty principle puts a limit to the accuracy at which we can measure position or momentum.
      String theory is a fascinating theory that has tried to unify quantum mechanics and gravitational physics. Maybe in the future we’ll be able to test some of the predictions of string theory, but at the moment even the LHC at CERN is far, far too weak to even approach the energies required.
      What do you think? Have you an interest in the subject?

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