Does string theory, in principle, answer why matter comes in chunks ?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether string theory provides an explanation for the quantization of matter, specifically why particles have discrete masses and why energy in electromagnetic fields appears in quantized amounts. Participants explore the relationship between string theory and quantum field theory in addressing these questions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if string theory can explain why matter comes in "chunks" and whether this is a question that can be answered at all.
  • Another participant asserts that quantum field theory (QFT) naturally accounts for the quantization of matter, suggesting that string theory is not necessary for this understanding.
  • A follow-up post challenges the notion that QFT provides a complete explanation, asking whether mass is an input in QFT while it might be an output in string theory, and whether QFT implies the existence of "chunks" without specifying their amounts.
  • Another participant confirms that while the masses of elementary particles are fixed, they are treated as free parameters in QFT, indicating that QFT does imply the existence of "chunks" but does not determine their exact values.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of string theory for explaining the quantization of matter. Some argue that QFT suffices, while others question the completeness of this explanation and the role of mass in both theories. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the adequacy of QFT versus string theory in addressing the original question.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of the relationship between mass, quantization, and the frameworks of quantum field theory and string theory. There are unresolved assumptions about the nature of mass and the implications of quantization in both theories.

Spinnor
Gold Member
Messages
2,231
Reaction score
419
Does string theory, in principle, answer why matter comes in "chunks"?

Does string theory, in principle, answer why matter comes in "chunks" of the same amount (say the mass of an electron or muon), and why the energy in the electromagnetic field of a given frequency also comes in a "chunks",
(E = hc/λ)? Or is this a "why" type question that has no answer.

Thanks for any help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You don't need string theory for that, quantum field theory gives this naturally. If you go deeper and ask "why is quantum field theory so successful", there is no answer.
 
mfb said:
You don't need string theory for that, quantum field theory gives this naturally. If you go deeper and ask "why is quantum field theory so successful", there is no answer.

You say naturally, isn't mass a input in standard model (quantum field theory) where in string theory mass might be an output of the theory? Does quantum field theory say that there will be "chunks" just not the exact amount of the chunks? When we quantize a field are we saying (among other things) that there will be chunks?

Thanks for your help!
 
The values of the masses (the coupling strength to the Higgs field) are free parameters, but the fact that every elementary particle has a fixed mass is not.
Does quantum field theory say that there will be "chunks" just not the exact amount of the chunks?
Right.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad String Basics question from an ABJECT ignoramus
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate Is the Randall-Sundrum model background independent?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Eletrons muons tau in string theory
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Graduate Inertial mass, the Higgs field, and Mach's Principle
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Graduate New string formulae for Higgs mass and cosmological constant
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
6K
Graduate Vortex loop stabilization in SU(N) gauge theory - DBI term approach
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Graduate Why does the principle of stationary action work?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Graduate Can Cosmic Inflation and String Theory change fundamental laws?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Graduate Towards a purely gravitational effective theory of dark matter
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K
Undergrad String theory calculation of Extremal black hole entropy problem
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K