In Search of Superstrings: Symmetry, Membranes and the Theory of Everything - Softcover

Gribbin, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1840468327 ISBN 13: 9781840468328

Publisher: Icon Books, 2007

Synopsis

Many physicists believe that we are on the verge of developing a complete theory which embraces all the particles and forces in the Universe. At its heart is the principle of supersymmetry, or SUSY. The quantum revolution - the uprooting of Newtonian shibboleths in particular by mavericks like Bohr, Schrödinger, Heisenberg and others - turned the physics world upside down. 'Uncertainty' became unavoidable; the apparently obvious distinction between particles and waves blurred; the number of 'fundamental particles' - the protons, neutrons and electrons taught in school physics lessons - had already reached fifteen by the middle of the 20th century and was rising rapidly. Yet, as John Gribbin vividly demonstrates, we are getting ever closer to a theory of everything based on quarks, superstrings (or membranes - the M in M-theory) and ingenious maths which can reduce the four basic forces of nature to a single 'superforce'. Soon, he argues, scientists in search of SUSY may have experimental evidence, and thus a definitive answer to some of mankind's deepest questions. In Search of Superstrings is an exhilarating trip along the cutting edge of modern science with a true master at the controls. Enjoy the ride.

About this title

About the Author

John Gribbin's numerous bestselling books include In Search of Schrödinger's Cat and Six Impossible Things, which was shortlisted for the 2019 Royal Society Science Book Prize. He has been described as 'one of the finest and most prolific writers of popular science around' by the Spectator. In 2021, he was made Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Astronomy at the University of Sussex.

Edition details

• Publisher: Icon Books
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1840468327
• ISBN 13: 9781840468328
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224