Strings
An
introduction for high school students
(and beyond)
Bob Dorsett
Wyethia and
Lupine
near Kebler Pass, Colorado. Bob Dorsett.
Page last updated: 02/17/2025
Here
you will find links to my text on string theory, one of the most
exciting developments in theoretical physics. String theory has
become an essential tool in physics. It provides new insight
into a broad range of outstanding questions in nuclear physics,
condensed matter physics, black holes, and cosmology. I think
high school students with an introductory background in physics and
calculus can understand its basic concepts. This text is for them
and for anyone with a similar background.
I based the chapters largely on Leonard Susskind's marvelous lectures on string theory,
part of his course series in The Theoretical Minimum offered by the
Stanford Office of Continuing Education. Professor Susskind
kindly offered encouragement in this endeavor and permission to post
online. Any errors -- and I am sure there are some -- are mine
and not his. If you see any,
please let me know.
Contents
with chapter links
follow, and further down the page you will find links to other
resources as well. Note that the Return to Table of Contents
links, found at the end of each chapter, don't work after this latest
update. Just click on the Contents tab on your browser.
I hope you enjoy exploring these ideas as much as I have.
Contents
Return
to Dr. Dorsett's Home Page
Links
to other String Resources:
- Online Lectures
- Online Articles
- Books
- Journals
- String Theory Web Sites
- Video Programs
Return
to Table
of Contents
The Picture:
The photograph
shows a typical subalpine
community in the central Colorado Rockies, including a population of
Wyethia
(Mule's ears, the large yellow composites), lupine (purple flower in
the
left foreground) and, on the skyline, alpine fir. Living
organisms
in this environment must adapt to harsh extremes -- cold winters with
heavy
snowfall, hot and dry summers. If all the multiverse is
string, here are strings at work. (And I like the picture.)
BrainTeasers:
Make the
following equation in Roman
numerals using matchsticks:
| + || + ||| +
|||| =
Move one
matchstick to a new location
in the equation so that the sum equals 4.
Car
Talk Puzzlers
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of Contents
Contact:
dorsett.bob@gmail.com
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