• Question: Do you know anything about string theory?

    Asked by thomo99 to Carol, Ellie, John, Philip, Rebecca on 25 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by zachpebbles.
    • Photo: John Welford

      John Welford answered on 25 Jun 2012:


      Nope! A man with a guitar once tried to explain it to me, but I still don’t understand!

    • Photo: Eleanor Turpin

      Eleanor Turpin answered on 25 Jun 2012:


      Hi thomo99,

      Although it’s not my research area, I know some theoretical physicists that work on string theory. They use a special type of maths to describe tiny sub atomic particles (such as the Higgs boson). Instead of thinking of the particles like they are little solid objects they imagine them to be vibrating strings – hence the name string theory.

      Have a look at this YouTube clip: http://youtu.be/kYAdwS5MFjQ
      Michio Kaku is probably the best scientist in the world at explaining string theory but it is very, very difficult. I studied physics at univeristy but I wasn’t taught any string theory because it is too hard. It’s only PhD students and professors who are clever enough to understand it.

    • Photo: Carol White

      Carol White answered on 25 Jun 2012:


      I was given a book that was supposed to explain string theory to non-physicists… I’ve still not got past the first few pages!

      I think it’s really interesting though, and I’m glad there are people out there with amazing brains that can cope with that kind of theoretical physics – I can’t!

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