String Theory For Dummies (eBook)

Andrew Zimmerman Jones received his physics degree and graduated with honors from Wabash College, where he earned the Harold Q. Fuller Prize in Physics. He is the Physics Guide for the New York Times' About.com Web site. Daniel Robbins received his PhD in physics from the University of Chicago and currently studies string theory and its implications at Texas A&M University.

Introduction.

Part I: Introducing String Theory.

Chapter 1: So What Is String Theory Anyway?

Chapter 2: The Physics Road Dead Ends at Quantum Gravity.

Chapter 3: Accomplishments and Failures of String Theory.

Part II: The Physics Upon Which String Theory IsBuilt.

Chapter 4: Putting String Theory in Context: Understanding theMethod of Science.

Chapter 5: What You Must Know about Classical Physics.

Chapter 6: Revolutionizing Space and Time: Einstein'sRelativity.

Chapter 7: Brushing Up on Quantum Theory Basics.

Chapter 8: The Standard Model of Particle Physics.

Chapter 9: Physics in Space: Considering Cosmology andAstrophysics.

Part III: Building String Theory: A Theory ofEverything.

Chapter 10: Early Strings and Superstrings: Unearthing theTheory's Beginnings.

Chapter 11: M-Theory and Beyond: Bringing String TheoryTogether.

Chapter 12: Putting String Theory to the Test.

Part IV: The Unseen Cosmos: String Theory On the Boundariesof Knowledge.

Chapter 13: Making Space for Extra Dimensions.

Chapter 14: Our Universe -- String Theory, Cosmology, andAstrophysics.

Chapter 15: Parallel Universes: Maybe You Can Be Two Places atOnce.

Chapter 16: Have Time, Will Travel.

Part V: What the Other Guys Say: Criticisms andAlternatives.

Chapter 17: Taking a Closer Look at the String TheoryControversy.

Chapter 18: Loop Quantum Gravity: String Theory's BiggestCompetitor.

Chapter 19: Considering Other Ways to Explain the Universe.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 20: Ten Questions a Theory of Everything Should(Ideally) Answer.

Chapter 21: Ten Notable String Theorists.

Index.