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Elegant Universe, The: Welcome to the 11th Dimension
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Program Overview
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Einstein's Dream Program Overview
String's The Thing Program Overview
NOVA explores some questions that string theory may be able to answer about the nature of the universe.
The program:
explores the idea of wormholes, tube-like tunnels through the fabric of space.
relates how string theory resolves the conflict between a spatial fabric that can deform but not tear (as described by the general theory of relativity) and space that may tear (in accordance with the concepts of quantum mechanics).
reviews the development of string theory.
recalls the introduction of M-theory in 1995, a theory that unified
five earlier versions of string theory into one theory.
relates how M-theory calls for a universe with 11 spacetime
dimensions, which is one more dimension than was proposed by
previous string theories.
suggests ways to envision the concept of extra dimensions, such as imagining a world of fewer dimensions, like the two-dimensional world of a movie.
illustrates how the additional dimension of M-theory allows a string
to stretch out into a membrane-like form that could exist in multiple dimensions.
explains how the existence of membranes might allow for the
presence of parallel universes that could exist inside the extra
dimensions of M-Theory.
speculates that additional dimensions might also help explain why gravity is much weaker than the other three forces—because it might be "leaking" into higher dimensions.
discusses the incomplete nature of the big bang theory and relates how some scientists have tried to use string theory to explain the birth of the universe.
relates how scientists are trying to find evidence of extra dimensions and supersymmetry to support string theory's predictions.
For additional background information see:
The Science of Superstrings
Glossary
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