String Theory Misunderstood
by Elizabeth McTaggart
Title
String Theory Misunderstood
Artist
Elizabeth McTaggart
Medium
Digital Art - Fractal Art
Description
String Theory Misunderstood
just when I think I understand
string theory
I realize that I haven't a clue ~
String Theory
String theory is an active research framework in particle physics that attempts to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity. It is a contender for a theory of everything (TOE), a self-contained mathematical model that describes all fundamental forces and forms of matter. String theory posits that the elementary particles (i.e., electrons and quarks) within an atom are not 0-dimensional objects, but rather 1-dimensional oscillating lines ("strings").
The earliest string model, the bosonic string, incorporated only bosons, although this view developed to the superstring theory, which posits that a connection (a "supersymmetry") exists between bosons and fermions. String theories also require the existence of several extra dimensions to the universe that have been compactified into extremely small scales, in addition to the four known spacetime dimensions.
The theory has its origins in an effort to understand the strong force, the dual resonance model (1969). Subsequent to this, five superstring theories were developed that incorporated fermions and possessed other properties necessary for a theory of everything. Since the mid-1990s, in particular due to insights from dualities shown to relate the five theories, an eleven-dimensional theory called M-theory is believed to encompass all of the previously distinct superstring theories.
Many theoretical physicists (among them Stephen Hawking, Edward Witten, Juan Maldacena and Leonard Susskind) believe that string theory is a step towards the correct fundamental description of nature. This is because string theory allows for the consistent combination of quantum field theory and general relativity, agrees with general insights in quantum gravity (such as the holographic principle and black hole thermodynamics), and because it has passed many non-trivial checks of its internal consistency. According to Hawking in particular, "M-theory is the only candidate for a complete theory of the universe." Nevertheless, other physicists, such as Feynman and Glashow, have criticized string theory for not providing novel experimental predictions at accessible energy scales.
[source: Wikipedia]
Uploaded
February 2nd, 2013
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Comments (40)
Elizabeth McTaggart
Thank you so much for your kind compliments, Cheri! I appreciate the visit to my site!
Cheri Randolph
Elizabeth, What a wonderful world is available to your viewers in these fractal images! It's like magic for me. I especially appreciate your descriptions connecting the art with science, because I always have felt that scientists are artists too in their own way - they must have vivid imaginations and be very creative to make the discoveries that they do. Just voted for 22 in your Fractal Gallery and posted this one into the voting thread of Artists News Group for others to enjoy.
Linda Lees
Nice work Elizabeth. This image is one that is really worth using the close up facility for, there's so much detail to be seen. It should look good in a large size. v
Elizabeth McTaggart replied:
What a wonderful compliment, Linda! I appreciate your thoughtful comments and vote!
Pedro L Gili
Elizabeth, this digital painting is a wonderful! Beautiful colors intertwined in a chaotic environment! After reading your description, I had to get back to scrutinize your work and so I became aware of its complexity. Really it's as complex as marrying quantum mechanics with relativity concepts. Definitely a great work! g+ T L Vtd.
Elizabeth McTaggart replied:
OMG Pedro! What a huge, awesome compliment! When I uncovered a formula that made "strings" ~ String Theory" popped into my head. I underdstand bits and pieces of the theory... but then it gets all jumbled! It's so simple and complex at the same time! That's really what I was going for: Simple Complexity. That in itself is a beautiful mysterious thing to me. I greatly appreciate your compliments and insight, Pedro!