String! Theory! What is it good for ?!?

String theory predicts that there is something inside quarks (roughly speaking) - as there was something inside the atom, nucleus, etc. A large enough collider. I don't know how big though. I think I once heard Michio say that an enormous stellar collider would be adequate - I think I heard something like that.But there you go - a prediction and a method. All in due time I guess.Also, I notice you quoted my "string predicts gravity" statement. While yes, like cavediver said, I couldn't explain that in any detail, I should say that I think you misunderstood. What I meant was that the higher dimensional equations in String Theory predicts gravity.I'll step back and cavediver can explain it - so we can both learn.- Oni

Yea, like I said, roughly speaking there are things inside quarks.That 'thing' is a vibrating one dimensional string. The way you would find out would be with a large enough collider.- Oni

Are you saying that the LHC doesn't incorporate SR...?If you are, this is incorrect. Relativistic mass is a fundamental aspect of the LHC due to the high momentum the particles are taken to.- Oni

No worries, cavediver. I knew it was toward Iblis.I'm glad you have taken the time to explain it further. I knew when I said it I didn't know the depth to which it dealt with gravity, I'm actually glad Iblis brought it to our attention and got a conversation started on it. That is an awesome analogy! - Oni

Then you didn't understand the post.Let me ask you, why do you believe the 4 dimensions of relativity exist? Do you consider time a dimension, if so, why?- Oni

Regardless of what you think, can you answer it? And the same could have been said for relativity in its early conception, yet it is now the most confirmed theory is physics.Your inability to currently comprehend it is not a problem for string theory, its a problem for you. I don't think you understand enough about string theory to realize how nonsensical that analogy is.Do you understand that the 'dimensions' in question are still part of our normal reality? Then you would be 100% wrong, and about 100 years behind science. So not only do you feel string theory is wrong, you also feel that relativity and Einstein were/are wrong? Ok- Oni

You don't like to follow the debate properly, do you? What does that mean? In what sense?How about the wiki definition just to keep it easy: dimension

quote:

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In mathematics and physics, the dimension of a space or object is informally defined as the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify each point within it

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Good? I don't understand what that means ... what else would you define it as?And the point to what I meant by time being a dimension, is that the numbers that you claim don't work in string without the other dimensions, in the same sense, don't work either in relativity without thinking of time as another, or the 4th, dimension.But once Einstein did this, his equations made sense, and then experiments confirmed it. It is now used in many of our current technology. It would change whether or not you land on the moon, or whether or not your GPS worked. It is very important. It is not a matter of 'belief', it is a matter of following the evidence where it points. I can't see, touch or experience dinosaurs either, yet the evidence tells me they existed.Your question would be better asked like this: Why are you trying to understand multi-dimensional theories in physics?And my answer would be: Because the evidence seems to suggest that they exist.That is all I could honestly say about it - and, like with any other theory, time will tell if they are correct.- Oni

I didn't know such a default existed, and I've been here for 2 years. I'm wondering how you figured that out in just a month?I was just commenting on the fact that you answer questions with questions, then demand that your questions be answered first. But anyway... Yes, extra dimensions, or, extra coordinates. I think you may be confusing the word 'dimension' with the sci-fi concept of it, where its some other place outside of the universe. 1, as has been explained already. And yes, it makes perfect sense - it didn't the first time I heard it, but after studying it it eventually did. Right, and what is time?- Oni

This is obviously completely off-topic but there is actually an open thread about what time is in the Big Bang/Cosmolgy forum - you can ask questions there.However, here's a great 5 part series by physicist Brian Cox on time:Hope this helps, if not, you can ask questions in the 'Time' thread.- Oni