Is it hard to understand string theory?
This is also the pre-requisite for a student to take a course on strings. Advanced string theory (Polchinski vol. 2 and beyond) requires some knowledge of advanced mathematics, and it is for this reason that string theory is considered “hard”.
Is string theory taught in high school?
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What is the math behind string theory?
String theory predicts the existence of more spacetime dimensions than the three spatial dimensions and one time dimension that we routinely observe. Bosonic string theory requires the existence of twenty-five spatial dimensions and one time dimension.
What is the most important subject to learn string theory?
Topology and group theory are also very important for string theory, although I do think it’s possible to have only a vague understanding of these subjects and still learn some basic string theory. Algebraic topology, algebraic geometry, and even category theory are often used in advanced string theory, but not necessary for grasping the basics.
Is it possible to learn string theory without knowing quantum field theory?
Unfortunately quantum field theory itself has a lot of other physics prerequisites that need to be met before one can start learning it. And general relativity is the other big physics prereq for beginning string theory.
How can string theorists verify their ideas?
Faced with accusations that their mathematical models cannot be tested, string theorists are retaliating with a host of thoughts on how to verify their ideas. These include looking for gravitational waves and scrutinising the results from particle accelerators. One of string theory’s most dramatic predictions is that we should find cosmic strings.
Is string theory losing its appeal?
Despite capturing the popular imagination, string theory is losing its public appeal. Sean Carroll argues that, despite the difficulties of testing it, the theory has still given us many valuable results. A neutrino experiment at the South Pole may be able to detect the predicted effects of string theory.