Can Strings Act as Both Particles and Waves Like Quantum Particles?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the nature of strings in string theory and their potential to exhibit both particle and wave characteristics, similar to quantum particles. Participants consider the implications of this duality, the relationship between observation and the manifestation of these properties, and the broader philosophical implications of theoretical physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant speculates that strings could interact like quantum particles, acting as both particles and waves depending on the observation apparatus, suggesting a singular force that manifests in different forms.
  • Another participant asserts that string theory inherently includes both particle and wave properties due to its quantum nature.
  • A claim is made that the mass of an object in string theory is determined by the vibrational state of its strings, with a distinction drawn between waves and strings that do not vibrate.
  • One participant proposes a perspective-based theory, suggesting that the appearance of waves and particles may depend on the observer's viewpoint and dimensional considerations.
  • Concerns are raised about the complexity of theoretical physics and the perceived disconnect between mathematical formulations and conceptual understanding, particularly regarding non-locality and dimensional separations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of string behavior and the implications of observation. There is no clear consensus on the nature of strings or the philosophical implications of theoretical physics.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on assumptions about the nature of observation and dimensionality that are not universally accepted. The discussion reflects a range of interpretations and personal theories without resolving the underlying complexities.

hoth
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Just thinking out loud... What if strings could interact in the same manner as quantum particles in that they can act both as particle and as wave depending on the observation apparatus. That is, there is a singular force in the universe which affects all things, by it can manifest in two forms. If you diffract the waves of this force by causing the strings to interact through moving electrons, then you get electromagnetic waves in a characteristic diffraction banding pattern. The electrons are like a a mesh screen or spaced slits. However, as you move to larger things and scale up, there are times when there is no more diffraction and the force acts as a particle would as there are no more "slits" to cause diffraction. This force could act as gravity does, uniformly in the 3D space except for diminishing with distance and increasing with mass.
 
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String theory is a quantum theory, so yes, strings have both "particle" and "wave" properties.
 
In the string theory, the mass of an object depends on the way its strings vibrate. Waves are strings that would not vibrate I suppose.
 
tomtom637 said:
In the string theory, the mass of an object depends on the way its strings vibrate. Waves are strings that would not vibrate I suppose.
No. Waves are strings for which you do not know where exactly they are and how exactly they vibrate.
 
I don`t have any degrees or anything but I like to think outside the box, my theory is things appear as they do depending on your perspective.
If you look at a front view of a wave form you see the wave, if you look at it from a plan view you see a line, that line`s end view it a dot (particle)
So this leads me to believe what we see in this dimension as a wave, can be seen in other dimensions as a particle (when frequency peaks close to another dimension) or particle trail.
I won`t get cut if you delete this post, it`s just a theory from a uneducated storeman.
 
Demystifier said:
No. Waves are strings for which you do not know where exactly they are and how exactly they vibrate.

Which kind of sums up string theory...

Why has theoretical physics become so dominated by number crunchers that it actually makes no sense to anyone ? Non locality itself points to a dimensional like separation between things that have mass and things that don't (as suggested by the person that replied to this quote of yours).

The fact that such a key point is reliably and continually wiped under the carpet suggests to me that we have extremely able calculators in their ivory towers who don't actually strive for truth. We all (I would hope) love the magic of the symmetry in nature represented by the "=" sign, and how that opens up the nature of things to maths. But to divorce the epistemology from the maths seems overtly crass to me.
 

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