Superstrings And The Search For The Theory Of Everything / Edition 1

by F. David Peat

Overview

"Peat grapples with these amazingly recondite notions and succeeds brilliantly in making them clear." —Publishers Weekly

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780809242573
Publisher:	McGraw Hill LLC
Publication date:	09/01/1989
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.95(d)

About the Author

McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Editorial Reviews

How did the universe begin? What is the nature of matter? What is the ultimate meaning of physical laws? To answer these questions, physicists must somehow join the two pillars of theoretical physics, quantum mechanics and relativity, in one all-encompassing theory. Science-writer Peat ( The Nuclear Book , etc.) here takes readers to the edges of ``postmodern physics.'' Leading candidates for the ``Theory of Everything'' are superstring theory and twistor theory. In superstring theory, we're shown, matter and space-time itself are made up of infinitesimal one-dimensional strings vibrating in 10 dimensions. Our familiar four-dimensional world (three spatial dimensions plus time) emerges when the six extra dimensions are curled up (compactified) smaller than the length of the strings. In twistor theory, developed by British physicist Roger Penrose, space-time and elementary particles are properties of a highly complex geometry. Many physicists believe that some deeper principle will eventually unite these two approaches into one true ``Theory of Everything.'' Peat grapples with these amazingly recondite notions, and succeeds brilliantly in making them clear to knowledgeable lay readers. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly