M theory is conceived as a theory of everything where string theory, supergravity and, ultimately, all fundamental forces come together considering the existence of eleven dimensions.
M theory is a proposal initially conceived by an American mathematician and physicist named Edward Witten , who combined the notion of supergravity and the theory of superstrings , identifying eleven dimensions in that framework (a dozen of a spatial nature and the remaining one, time dimension).
It is presented, from the perspective of experts in theoretical physics , as a hypothetical theory of everything in which the fundamental forces (that is, the interactions produced between subatomic particles ) present in nature are unified: the strong nuclear force , the nuclear force weak , gravity and electromagnetism .
This content is based on string theory , a model that conceives each particle as a small string that, in a space-time that requires a minimum of eleven dimensions, is capable of vibrating at a certain frequency , imagining each string as a thread of a single dimension that, according to how they vibrate, give rise to subatomic particles . The intention of implementing string theory is to provide an explanation and a basis that describes the quantum, elemental nature of the force of gravity .
It is important to keep in mind that not all researchers believe in M theory . When tracing repercussions, numerous questions and criticisms are found due to the lack of development, inconsistencies, poor solidity, etc.
There is still much to investigate and discover about M theory to achieve universal acceptance, but knowing what it consists of, what its foundations are and what implications it has, among other issues, is useful to expand general knowledge and understand some issues associated with cosmology , for example.
How M-theory was arrived at
It is necessary to make a historical reconstruction of scientific findings in order to explain and understand how M theory was arrived at.
First of all, we must remember that, long before the discovery of electrons , protons and neutrons (elements defined as subatomic particles ), it was considered that the smallest and impossible to fragment portion of matter were the atoms , thus conceived as elementary particles . of indivisible essence. Then quarks (other tiny elements of special interest in particle physics ) were identified and quantum field theory gained relevance. In it, we work with principles of quantum mechanics to explain or clarify certain phenomena linked to interactions between subatomic particles .
Taken advantage of by cosmology, M theory is useful to understand or try to explain everything from the Big Bang to black holes, for example.
With the hypotheses that later gave identity to string theory , the spatial dimensions gained strength, which are calculated in eleven although not all of them can be directly observable. As there are several constituent approaches to string theories , Edward Witten aspired to unify them by connecting them through dualities , thus giving rise to M theory . Regarding the choice of the letter and its meaning, the possibilities are multiple, since everything from membrane and matrix to more humorous and informal expressions are accepted.
Together with Petr Horava , Witten also framed M theory in a special geometry to study it in space-time under a limit made up of a dozen dimensions. Thanks to this, the challenge of determining a specific mathematical structure for the theory in question prospered and progress was made in transferring it to real-world physics .
Characteristics
Beyond the allusion to strings , M theory includes both the structures called P-branes (classification referring to a type of membrane with one dimension or more that, in superstring theory , symbolize physical elements) and the D-branes (a special P-brane model attached to the open strings that are recognized within string theory ).
Juan Martín Maldacena , an Argentine -born theoretical physicist, has analyzed M-theory , quantum gravity , and string theory . This expert proposed a correspondence, known as the AdS/CFT conjecture or gauge-gravity correspondence , where anti-de Sitter space and conformal field theory (or conformal field theory ) coexist. This duality successfully embodies the holographic principle , whose link with string theory through the AdS/CFT conjecture has made it possible to clarify enigmas about black holes .
According to string theory, from the smallest particle to the most remote star is made up of strings. There are physics experts who consider that this theory provides tools to understand the functioning of the universe.
Difficulties around M theory
There is still an attempt to advance and consolidate M theory but so far there is a lack of experimentation, availability of more advanced technological tools and resources to be able to analyze extra dimensions at low energy , parallel universes and strings .
Ambitious challenges remain ahead to answer questions and accumulate evidence that leads to the ratification and verification of its postulates.
For some time now, scientific efforts to verify and formulate this theory better and more deeply are supported by both the AdS/CFT correspondence and the so-called matrix theory .
Attempts have also been made to formulate models of the world considering two pairs of dimensions, a maneuver that requires compacting the additional dimensions of time or space .