The Edge of Knowledge Part 1

I began reading The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. The above image is the cover of our topic book. Through this book we will try to unravel the mysteries of the universe and open up and exam the two types physics: quantum mechanics and general relativity. Through these two fields of physics we have made many breakthroughs in the physics world but there has always been tension between the two. When the equations are both combined they no longer hold up. This is where the superstring theory(string theory for short) comes into play. The superstring theory resolves the tension between the two, but it does not end there it also has general relativity and quantum mechanics to require one another in order to work. string theory as quoted in the book, "has the potential to show that all of the wondrous happenings in the universe...are reflections of one grand physical principle, one master equation."There are three conflicts between quantum mechanics and general relativity. The first being in the late 1800s, the laws of motion say that if you run fast enough you can catch up to a beam of light departing. But the laws of electromagnetism would disagree with the laws of motion. This was resolved by Einstein with his theory of special relativity, this states that space and time can no longer be viewed as universal concepts that are absolute that are experienced by everyone the same. This theory of special relativity although solved the first conflict it also set in motion the second conflict. Einstein concluded that no object could travel faster can travel faster than the speed of light. The universal theory of gravitation uses the concept that there are influences that are transmitted through large distances of space instantaneously, far faster than the speed of light. This was resolved by the general theory of relativity like before this overturned our thoughts on space and time previously held. Special relativity gave us the understanding that space and time are influenced by one's state of motion. General relativity would take it a step forward to say that space and time can also be warped and curved in response to matter and energy being present.  But like the first time the theory used to resolve the conflict ended up setting the stage for another. Beginning in 1900, three decades were used to develop quantum mechanics. This is because of the fact that our current concepts on physics did not work when applied to the microscopic world. The third conflict is one that comes from quantum mechanics and general relativity not working together. The conflict is named the central problem with modern physics. String theory offers a resolution to this conflict, this is where things get interesting with this theory. It is known that in this universe we have three spatial dimension. But string theory would claim that there are many more dimensions hidden within our universe, hidden in the folded fabric of the cosmos.