Inspired by Einstein's work in the physics field, a Polish mathematician, Theodor Kaluza, attempted to toy with the theory of extra dimensions. He believed that there were more than just the three dimensions we could see and feel and tried to incorporate his extra dimensions into Einstein's theory of gravity. Since humans couldn't see or feel the extra dimensions, he thought that the dimensions would curl up to form a circle so small we'd never be able to see it. Also, Oskar Klein, a Swedish physicist, came to a similar conclusion several years later, interpreting the extra dimensions in a quantum sense.
The work of the two men were combined to form the Kaluza-Klein theory. Although the Kaluza-Klein theory was never verified because of discrepancies between theory and math, his research started a new wave of interest in the idea that there are more than just three dimensions. |
Later on, many scientists began to investigate the strong force. Gabriele Veneziano, in 1968, formulated an equation that seemed to describe the force, but he struggled with explaining exactly how it worked. This equation fascinated many, and, by 1970, several physicists all came to the conclusion independently that Veneziano's theory worked if the particles consisted of tiny vibrations, ultimately called dual resonance models.
However, with the development of quantum physics and mechanics, it was discovered that for this equation to truly work, 26 dimensions were to be needed. This new discovery made scientists doubt the validity of the models and string theory, and it was not until Pierre Ramond modified the theory in 1971 to include fermions, matter particles, when string theory truly took off. His method only required 10 dimensions as well. He called his method superstring theory, and it changed the physics community forever.
However, with the development of quantum physics and mechanics, it was discovered that for this equation to truly work, 26 dimensions were to be needed. This new discovery made scientists doubt the validity of the models and string theory, and it was not until Pierre Ramond modified the theory in 1971 to include fermions, matter particles, when string theory truly took off. His method only required 10 dimensions as well. He called his method superstring theory, and it changed the physics community forever.
After all this progress was made, there came a boom in interest in string theory in the late 20th century. Through the work of many theorists and scientists, the anomalies in the mathematics of the theory were slowly minimized, and five separate theories emerged. The scientists knew that only one of the theories could be true but continued in the pursuit of finding the one equation that would explain everything.
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Finally, the research done in the 21st century is considered the second revolution of string theory. Theorist Edward Witten attempted to solve the age-old question by proposing that those five theories could be combined to make one theory to rule them all, called M-Theory. Furthermore, many have tried to use string theory to explain ideas such as multiverse that were not plausible in the decades past. Despite the number of theories out there today, we are still unable to come to a solid conclusion on string theory because of how small the strings are and the limits of technology.
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