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Dimanche, Mars 13, 2005
The elegant universe

by Brian Greene (2003)

ISBN 0375708111

In this book he describes the string theory, the theory of evrything. He seems to take this theory as a starting point, which might make it interesting. But first special and general relativity are explained. And also quantumdynamics is discussed. The theories for the weak and strong forces are shallowly discussed. He makes clear how gravity and quantummechanics do not fit.

One of the major advances of string theory is the idea that elemetary particles are no longer pointlike particles but have a finite size. This fact already resolves a lot of ambiguities. String theory only requires a single number, the string tension, to explain all existing particles. That makes it already very elegant. But also gravitation is integrated into the theory. Each particle corresponds to a one dimensional vibrating string. This vibration determines the mass and spin of the particle.

In order to make the theory work it must be at least 10-dimensional (9 space and 1 time dimension). Only with this high number of dimensions the theory yields acceptable values. Only our 3 space-dimensions are large. The other 6 space dimensions must be tiny, as we do not see them. A string will vibrate in this 9-dimensional space. As the string is tiny it has enough space to vibrate in these tiny 6 spaces. The major problem of string theory is the shape of this 6-dimensional space.

physics • (0) TrackbacksPerm • by Arnaud Leene
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