String Theory: Vibrations & Plank Lengths

[pforeman]

In string theory, a string is at or near the plank length. If a string is vibrating, or if it is curved into something like a circle, aren't you having something smaller than a plank length?

With a vibrating string part of the string is inverted to the other part, this would mean that you could (and should?) divide a plank length string into parts Which I thought should be impossible.

Is there some reason that the vibration isn't thought to be "lengthwise" with the vibration being from one plank length to two plank lengths or some integer thereof?
Thanks,
Paul

 

[Simon Bridge]

What would a longitudinal vibration on a string actually mean?

 

[pforeman]

stretching from one length to another?

 

[Simon Bridge]

What is stretching from one length to another? You mean you are imagining the strings would change length?
What would it mean for the physics described by the string?

Basically string theory is set up to encode a lot of ideas at once as different dimensions.
The vibrations are transverse because it is difficult to draw a graph of longitudinal waves logitudinally.
So - how would it help to propose a string-model for fundamental interactions (etc etc) in which the strings carry longitudinal vibrations?

I'm taking this tack because I suspect you have been attempting to understand string theory based on your understanding of classical waves on a string. That approach will get you tied up i knots (could't resist).

 

[phinds]

... aren't you having something smaller than a plank length?
l

You seem to have a belief that the Plank length is the smallest possible length. This is not true --- it's just the shortest length that we could ever even theoretically measure according to current theory. The fact that we could not measure shorter lengths doesn't mean they are physically impossible.

EDIT: and by they way, the Plank length using today's technology is MANY orders of magnitude smaller than anything that can be measured. But again, this does not rule out smaller lengths.

 

[tanzanos]

Assuming that a string is the size of 1 plank and thus the smallest possible entity. Also that it is not comprised of smaller particles then would it not be infinitely rigid? If so then how can it vibrate?

 

[Simon Bridge]

Assuming that a string is the size of 1 plank and thus the smallest possible entity.

... this question has been answered by phinds in post #5 when he said:

You seem to have a belief that the Plank length is the smallest possible length. This is not true...