OT: String Theory

[Roanon]

String theory should bridge the gap between conventional physics (Einstein) and quantum physics: the first dealing preferrably with large masses, the other one mainly concentrating on atomic level and smaller. But as far as I understand it - which is not far - the theory is still lacking to explain something previously unexplained or predict some new and proveable effects.

[Renegade 13]

A couple of quotes that may help to shed some light on string theory. All are taken from "Origin & Fate of the Universe" a special cosmology issue of Astronomy magazine:

String theory suggests that particles in the universe are composed of loops of vibrating strings. Like a violin or piano string, one of these fundamental strings has many different harmonics. In string theory, harmonics correspond to different elementary particles. If string theory proves correct, electrons, photons, and neutrinos are different due to changes in the vibrations of the strings.

One of the areas that string theory helps physicists out in is the apparent clash between General relativity and quantum mechanics:

General relativity described large objects such as the solar system, galaxies, and the universe. Quantum mechanics, as elaborated in the standard model, described small objects such as atoms, molecules, and subatomic particles. Physicists, however, are not satisfied having two different theories that work in two different realms. One reason is simply that big objects ultimately are made out of little objects. The same forces operate on both atoms and stars, for example, even though gravity is more obvious for stars while electricity and magnetism dominate in atoms.

If string theory proves correct, all elementary particles...owe their existence to subtle differences in the vibrations of strings. The theory offers a way to unite disparate particles because they are, in essence, differnet manifestations of the same basic string.

Now I've probably just gone and confused you more, but I hope the quotes help you understand it a little better.