String Theory: Is Energy a Physical Entity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conceptual understanding of energy in the context of string theory, specifically questioning whether energy can be considered a physical entity or merely a property of a system. Participants explore the implications of string theory's characterization of energy as "vibrating strands" and the challenges this presents in light of quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion over the use of the term "energy" in string theory, suggesting it may not refer to a physical entity but rather a property of the system.
  • One participant references Einstein, implying that understanding energy in this context may require a deeper knowledge of foundational physics.
  • Another participant questions how strings can be characterized as having vibrations given the uncertainty principle, which complicates the attribution of classical properties like position and momentum.
  • There is a suggestion that the term "vibration" may be a colloquial or simplified term used to describe abstract mathematical attributes in string theory.
  • Participants note that popular presentations of string theory, such as a documentary by Brian Greene, may use imprecise language that could lead to misunderstandings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether energy is a physical entity in the context of string theory, and multiple competing views remain regarding the interpretation of energy and vibrations in this framework.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion, including the dependence on definitions of energy and the abstract nature of string theory, which may not align with classical interpretations of physical entities.

jaydnul
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I was watching a video on string theory and they claim that its all vibrating strands of energy. I thought energy was just a property of the system, not a physical entity. So do they mean something else by "energy"?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Are you familiar with Einstein? He was a clever guy... should read about him
 
lundyjb said:
I was watching a video on string theory and they claim that its all vibrating strands of energy. I thought energy was just a property of the system, not a physical entity. So do they mean something else by "energy"?

An interesting question. Perhaps they call it that for lack of a better term?
 
It's a great question... if the current view is that unmeasured standard quantum particles don't have particular attributes for position, velocity, momentum, energy, etc , how much greater the problem of characterizing the string as having a vibration (which classically entails all those attributes)?
The size of a string compared to a proton diameter is about the same magnitude as the size of a man to the distance from here to Andromeda galaxy... the uncertainty principle would seem to make any possible "vibration" attribute of a string impossible.
I'm sure the string theorists are using the math to work with different kinds of abstract attributes altogether, and "vibration" is more like the nickname for an abstract mathematical attribute - sort of like "spin" is the nickname for intrinsic angular momentum of something not thought to be actually spinning...
 
lundyjb said:
I was watching a video on string theory and they claim that its all vibrating strands of energy.

Which video? Many people use sloppy language when trying to present things like string theory on a non-mathematical level to people who aren't physicists.
 
It was a briane greene documentary for nova
 
lundyjb said:
It was a briane greene documentary for nova

Ah, the Elegant Universe. As another poster said, it's probably "energy" for lack of a better word. In fact, I'm not sure if, assuming String Theory, there's a meaningful way to describe what they're made of.
 

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