Superstring Theory
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Summary
Superstring theory can calculate quantum corrections to general relativity, yield wormhole (Einstein-Rosen bridge) solutions, and make dimensional travel possible. Superstring theory predicts cosmic disasters—for example, if a universe with a lower energy state exists, a quantum leap could occur and all known laws of physics would change completely (matter always seeks a lower energy state). Superstring theory explains what happened before the Big Bang—a ten-dimensional universe fractured into lower-energy universes, a four-dimensional universe (expanding) and a six-dimensional universe (curled up). Superstring theory, combining with quantum mechanics, explains the problem that troubled Einstein for 30 years—why the fifth dimension is curled up while other dimensions can extend to infinity (the problem of curled-up higher dimensions).
Editor's review
As an editor, I believe the book's core value lies in its outstanding 'translating' ability. Kaku successfully transforms mathematicians' abstract language and physicists' complex models into narratives readers can perceive and contemplate. He not only explains 'what the theory is' but profoundly expounds 'why we pursue such a theory,' closely linking scientific exploration with humanity's curiosity about the origin of the universe. Reading this book, you will gain not just a collection of novel physics concepts but a new perspective for understanding the world—a holistic view that sees all things as vibrating in harmonious unity on the strings of the cosmos. For any reader eager to expand the boundaries of cognition and harboring ultimate questions about 'existence' itself, this book is a rare gift.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Popular science enthusiasts with a strong interest in the frontiers of modern physics, especially cosmology and unified field theory.
- Readers who enjoyed works such as The Elegant Universe and The Fabric of the Cosmos and hope to understand string theory more systematically and deeply.
- Those with a high school or higher physics background who are unafraid of abstract thinking and willing to follow the author on a mind-bending yet delightful intellectual exploration.
- Philosophically minded readers in the humanities concerned with the nature of the world, the meaning of spacetime, and scientific methodology.
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking light entertainment or quick, simple answers. This book requires a degree of focus and reflection.
- Professional physics students or researchers expecting rigorous mathematical derivations and formula verification. This book is popular science, not a professional textbook.
Reading tips
- Don't insist on understanding every concept in one go. Treat it as a journey; pause at complex chapters and return after reflection.
- Supplement the reading with background on the historical figures and events mentioned, such as Einstein and Bohr, to better understand the development of the theories.
- After reading, try retelling the core ideas in your own words—an effective way to test and deepen understanding.
About the publisher
Chongqing Publishing House is a comprehensive publisher known for its titles in the humanities, social sciences, literature and arts, with about 940 books in its catalogue. Its publishing areas cover world history, science fiction, foreign literature, architecture and philosophy. Representative titles include Xiang Da's A History of Communications Between China and the West, Liang Sicheng's Rules of Qing-Style Construction, Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem II: The Dark Forest and III: Death's End, Ann Rand's The Fountainhead (25th Anniversary Edition), and Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive series. Its authors include Xiang Da, Liu Cixin, Liang Sicheng and Ann Rand. The press has developed distinctive strengths in historical source editing, the introduction and creation of science fiction, the translation of foreign literature, and architecture and philosophy titles, balancing scholarly value with general readership. As public information is limited, this profile outlines its publishing directions based only on the books in the catalogue.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 《超弦论》一书的发行评语
- 致谢
- 引言
- 第一部分 宇宙理论
- 1 超弦：万物理论
- 2 寻求统一
- 3 量子谜题
- 4 无穷大之谜
- 5 寻找顶夸克
- 第二部分 超对称和超弦
- 6 超弦理论的诞生
- 7 对称性：缺失的一个环节
- 8 超对称
- 第三部分 超出四维
- 9 大爆炸之前
- 10 暗物质的神秘
- 11 宇宙弦
- 12 通往另一个维度的旅程
- 13 回到未来
- 14 超越爱因斯坦
FAQ
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What is the relationship between this book and the TV documentary The Elegant Universe?
Has string theory been proven?
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About the author
Michio Kaku, a Japanese-American theoretical physicist and science writer born in 1947, teaches at the City University of New York and is a co-founder of string field theory, devoting himself to continuing Einstein's quest for a unified field theory. Beyond research, he writes widely and communicates science to the public, covering frontier topics in theoretical physics such as parallel universes, hyperspace, superstring theory and the cosmic equation, as well as artificial intelligence and future technology; the library holds eight of his works. He explains complex ideas in accessible language and through popular media such as television and radio. His many New York Times bestsellers include Physics of the Impossible, Physics of the Future, The Future of the Mind and The God Equation, and his books are commonly classified under popular science and artificial intelligence.
Public information about Wu Yisheng is limited; all that is known is that four of his works are held in this library, all in the popular science category. Representative titles include Parallel Universes, Michio Kaku's Universe Trilogy, Superstring Theory, and The Universe Equation. These titles suggest that his writing and editorial work centers on frontier topics in modern physics and cosmology, covering themes such as parallel universes, superstring theory, and cosmological equations, with Michio Kaku's universe trilogy as an important basis. Such subjects are generally aimed at general readers interested in the mysteries of the universe and theoretical physics, requiring authors to make abstract and difficult concepts readable while maintaining scientific accuracy. Wu Yisheng's works build a bridge between popular science and frontier science, helping Chinese-language readers engage with important discussions in contemporary cosmology and physics.
