Chapter 8: String Theory

The string theory is essentially the image of “ a one-dimensional object that revolutionizes our world more than Starbucks”. Hammond looks at the string theory as a one-dimensional object that can come in various different forms that correspond to a different component of the universe. For instance, one shape of that same entity can be a proton while another can be a neutrino. This theory essentially simplifies things into a simple format so that further things can be explained and understood. If these different shaped, yet similar particles were depicted as one-dimensional lines, they could be plucked to emit different sounds/ frequencies. This is simply for visual aid so that it is easier to understand how a particle can change. Next if this string were an electron, and it was struck with something that provided enough energy that it made a second wave on the string, this electron would be changed or manipulated into another particle. Similarly, if the string were to break, it would be bale to decay or form other new particles. This theory essentially stems from the visual aid of a string and how it can be manipulated to show that everything can be derived from a single entity with varying shapes and sizes. The string theory also shows a representation of an electron having wave like properties, which is important in the understanding of how it can interact with other particles. The next step, the String Theory Revolution introduced a new aspect to this theory in 1984. This became quite complicated but I interpreted it as the string theory has two types of particles, fermions and bosons. Fermions are particles that are more associated with matter and can only occupy a space in time. They are often usually elementary particles like and electron. Bosons, however, are other types of particles that can occupy more than one space at a point in time if they have the same energy. They are often also referred to as force carriers because of this multi placed characteristic. Another difference between the two, which I don’t fully understand, is the rotation type that the particles have. Fermions have half integer spins while bosons have full integer spins. These are the ideas being the string theory and how Hammond portrays them through conversations, explanations and examples.