Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Geezer on 27/09/2010 18:11:57

Title: What experiment can validate string theory?
Post by: Geezer on 27/09/2010 18:11:57

Self explanatory question I hope.

Title: What experiment can validate string theory?
Post by: LeeE on 27/09/2010 18:18:13

Well, while string theory is in agreement with other theories it can't be regarded as invalid, for it is as equally valid as the other theories with which it agrees.

For string theory to supplant those other theories though, it would need to successfully predict something that they don't.

Title: What experiment can validate string theory?
Post by: JP on 27/09/2010 23:56:27

Smaller scales require higher energies.  If you exponentially scaled up the LHC, you could get to scales where the effects of the  strings become observable.  Such a test would be completely impractical with current technology, however.

Title: What experiment can validate string theory?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 28/09/2010 00:18:15

As I see it superstring theory in all its ramifications coupled together into M theory effectively describes all possible universes with physical laws vaguely similar to ours so the problem is not to prove it generally but to try to identify from which part of the vast range of possibilities our universe originates and why.