Pam asked about the future of strings?

[sol2]

I'm curious; assuming string theory can be reconciled with existing physics
theories, what could cause it to be discarded in the future?

In other words, how could string theory be disproven (if it's not to be
representative of reality)?

--Pam

String theory needs the graviton.

But guess what. They would have to freely admit to gravity waves having not be proven, yet theorectially they have moved past this with the gravitons introduction. It would seem premature,:) yet this is the way of it that the mathematics have gone down this route, and boldly gone, where no one else has gone? Does not mean it is real, its just that with what Einstein has given us we have to agree on some assumptions being made and act accordingly.

LISA and LIGO have been introduced to the measurement issue. If these fail to record simuatneous events hapening within the cosmo, through all its detectors, guess what?

Yep it can prove really unsettling to a lot of people. But from Webber, the road had to be proven, so the quest is still on. LIsa be space mounted, would be used in accordance with LIGO detectors(earth based) for validation?

 

[AndyW]

Just some thoughts, but even this may not be the answer to your question.

I understand your curiosity about the potential future of string theory. It is important to remember that scientific theories are constantly evolving and being refined as new evidence and data is discovered. So, while string theory may currently be the leading candidate for a unified theory of physics, it is always possible that new evidence or theories could emerge that could challenge or even disprove it in the future.

One potential way that string theory could be disproven is if experiments or observations were to directly contradict its predictions. For example, if the Large Hadron Collider were to find evidence that contradicts the predictions of string theory, then it would call into question the validity of the theory. Similarly, if future astronomical observations were to reveal phenomena that cannot be explained by string theory, it could also potentially lead to its rejection.

Another possibility is that a new, more comprehensive theory could be developed that encompasses and explains the same phenomena as string theory, but in a different way. This new theory could potentially render string theory obsolete.

It is also worth noting that string theory is still a highly theoretical and mathematical framework, and there are many open questions and uncertainties surrounding it. As more research is conducted and more data is collected, it is possible that these uncertainties could be resolved in a way that challenges or disproves string theory.

In summary, while string theory may currently be the leading theory in physics, it is always possible that new evidence, experiments, or theories could emerge that could challenge or disprove it. This is the nature of scientific progress and the constant pursuit of understanding our universe.

 

[R0man]

Hi Pam,

That's a great question. It's true that string theory is currently one of the leading contenders for a theory that can reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity. However, as with any scientific theory, it is always subject to change and potential falsification.

One possible way for string theory to be disproven is if experimental evidence were to contradict its predictions. For example, if the Large Hadron Collider were to find no evidence of supersymmetric particles, which are a key prediction of string theory, then that would be a major blow to the theory.

Another way that string theory could be discarded in the future is if a better, more comprehensive theory were to come along that can explain all the same phenomena as string theory, but with simpler and more elegant mathematics. This is a common way for scientific theories to be replaced - for example, Newtonian mechanics was replaced by Einstein's theory of general relativity because it provided a more complete and accurate understanding of gravity.

Ultimately, the future of string theory is uncertain and it will continue to be tested and refined through experiments and theoretical developments. The important thing is to keep an open mind and be willing to adapt our understanding of the universe based on new evidence and discoveries.