Questions tagged [theory-of-everything]
The theory-of-everything tag has no usage guidance.
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Why are we trying to fit GR in QFT when there's a chance that GR is incomplete?
GR explains most phenomena in our universe, but not everything.. Dark matter and Dark energy still don't fit in explanation of GR. QFT, on other hand, is almost complete. Shouldn't physicists go for ...
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Emergent physics in the gap between the Planck scale and the "size" of quarks [closed]
The smallest probed length scale to date is around $\Delta x \approx 10^{-18} m$ (see here).
If we compare this to the Planck scale of $\Delta x \approx 10^{-35} m$ we are left with almost 20 orders ...
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Running of gravitational constant versus. other coupling constants, GUT and TOE
Is there any theory that proves convincingly that the gravitational constant runs with energy AND it is like the other coupling constants and converge at a single point at a given energy? Or is that a ...
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Field theory if no fundamental space-time [closed]
If there is no fundamental space-time, is the field concept also doomed? If so, how can we derive unified field theory in a background space-time if there is no background space-time or worst, no ...
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String theory and one idea of "quantum structure of spacetime"
First of all, I do recognize that I haven't studied string theory up to this point. I'm actualy just getting started with it.
So my question here is as follows: Einstein's theory of General ...
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Could the graviton be more than one particle?
I guess this amounts to saying that gravity isn't a fundamental force and is, in fact, an emergent phenomenon (as in Erik Verlinde's theory). If gravity can be 'unified' with the other forces surely ...
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Are we closer to a theory of everything thanks to the detection of gravitational waves?
A couple of weeks ago I heard an astronomer explain that one of the latest detections of gravitational waves was accompanied by simultaneous detections of the same astronomical event in various other ...
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Is there a mathmatical theory to explain all physical phenomena? [duplicate]
Does anybody know of any physicists or mathematicians who have put forward a theory to everything, for which this mathematical theory would explain all physical phenomena in the universe in one ...
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Why in physics does one ask increasingly fundamental questions of matter? [closed]
Many physicists seek to understand grand theories of everything by reduction to smaller components or building blocks. Those trained, but maybe are not practicing talk about the importance of "first ...
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Why is there isn't a Theory of everything after decades of research? [duplicate]
Why isnt there a theory of everything after decades of research by the best minds of the world. Is it because that general relativity and quantum mechanics are so different in their ideals
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Is String Theory the end of (currently known) physics? [closed]
Assuming that String Theory were true, does it explain all the currently known physics? Or are there anything that is known to exist and that even String Theory would not be able to explain?
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Who are the present 'superstars' pursuing significant breakthroughs toward a Theory of Everything (TOE)? [closed]
What are the main problems remaining to create a Theory of Everything (TOE) and who are some of the main contemporaries pursuing the TOE?
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Are certain fields of physics axiomatized?
Everything from Quantum mechanics can be derived from six (?) postulates. Similarly classical electrodynamics can be reduced to Maxwell's equations and Lorentz force law, and special relativity is ...
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Quantum mechanics interpretations [closed]
Let's assume that the existance of the graviton is proved theoretically or it is detected by the LHC and there is found a way for Pilot Wave Theory for it to account to special relativity via the ...
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Theory of Everything and the initial conditions
From what I've understood, the basic motivation behind the idea of "the Theory of Everything" (its modern attempt being M theory) is to find a simple rule which unifies all phenomena observed in ...
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Why to unify gravity with the other forces if gravity isn't really a force?
As I understand, the Theory of General Relativity says that the force of gravity doesn't exist. The planets move in elliptical orbits because the spacetime is curved by the mass of the sun, not ...
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Exact precise logical axiomatization of Physics [closed]
I know this question had been asked many times before but maybe not in this form. So I really need the exact axiomatization of Physics. I have been looking for it for a long time. Precise logical ...
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Why is general relativity background independent and electromagnetism is background dependent?
I read in a book, it is hard to formulate the theory of everything by unifying all the forces, because general relativity is a background independent theory while electromagnetism isn't. Why is this ...
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What is the minimum set of hypotheses which the present physics is based on? [duplicate]
Based on nowadays human understanding, what are the most fundamental hypotheses or principles in present physics which could deduce all other formula/theorem/details/applications?
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If an electron turns into a black hole, does it retain its charge?
If an electron becomes a black hole, does it retain its charge? Or does it lose it? What if a proton becomes a black hole?
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Reformulating QFT to exclude space-time basis
This is, I guess, a pretty loose or general question and so I hope it's ok to post in this forum. But I suppose this is what science is all about: asking and seeing what happens. It is just personal ...
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Can there be really a theory of everything? [closed]
If quantum theory becomes compatible with Einstein's theory of gravity, we get the theory of everything. But if it can predict anything in the universe (provided boundary equations are given) wouldn't ...
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Is it possible that the universe is (logically) classical (as opposed to, say, intuitionistic or minimal) within certain limits, but not generally?
This question is one that has been bothering me for some time now. We have assumed, based on our observations, that the universe is subservient to the principles of classical logic. But is it ...
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Is the Lagrangian approach essentially a 'theory of everything'?
From learning about the Lagrangian lately it seems that that it can underlie so many phenomena that it must be the unifying concept that underpins all physics. I often hear that physicists are ...
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Why doesn't renormalization with a Planck-scale cutoff work for quantum gravity?
It's well known that general relativity and quantum theory break down at the Planck distance. What I don't understand is why you can't use the Planck distance as a sort of cutoff.
As I understand it ...
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A brief description of a plausible and possible candidate for Quantum Gravity [closed]
I wanted to know the specifics(essence) of a particular theory that is present for quantum gravity (QG),and which seems to have the best potential. I am no expert on field theories and QG, cause ...
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Does Tegmark's Mathematical Universe Hypothesis require instantiation/substrate/implementation? [closed]
Max Tegmark's Mathematical Universe Hypothesis appears to be a "radical Platonist" theory, arguing that mathematical structures form the basis of the universe/reality.
One thing that's not clear to ...
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Why string theory?
I am new to String Theory. I've read that String theory is an important theory because it is a good candidate for a unified theory of all forces. It is "better" than the Standard Model of particle ...
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Will Gödel's theorem strike a death blow to the future of science? [duplicate]
According to Gödel's incompleteness theorem, no matter how many statements you prove, you will always have a set of statements not proved. Does this imply that some time in the future, scientific ...
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Physics after a Theory of Everything [closed]
There is a lot of controversy over the existence of a Theory of Everything (ToE), and as far as I know, we are a long way from having a possible candidate. But what interests me is, what after that? ...
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Experiments to resolve dillema between continuity and discrete
Which experiments/experimental methods are suggested to resolve an alternative about the structure of our universe space and time - is it continuous or is it discrete in a very small scale, especially ...
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Is there any additional complexity in the physical laws that seems unnecessary for us to exist? [closed]
I am wondering if the universe is as simple as possible, at least given the constraint that humans exist on Earth. This is my second attempt at this question, which was marked as too broad, since I ...
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Are field theories special?
Our best descriptions of the microscopic world, that satisfy many fundamental requirements (as we know them today), are field theories.
Is there something fundamental about field interactions, or are ...
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Is Bekenstein entropy limit inconsistent with universal continuity?
It is unknown whether the universe is discrete or continuous in its intricate quantum level structure.
See for example:
Can universal continuity be experimentally falsified?
Is the universe finite ...
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Would a Theory of Everything allow us to calculate the constants of physics?
I have heard several times in the past that a Theory of Everything would allow us to calculate (as opposed to measure) the fundamental dimensionless physical constants.
What I mean is, e.g., the fine ...
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The Simulation Hypothesis As A Theory Of Everything [closed]
I have long found the Simulation Hypothesis to be better-able to answer questions that I have regarding the universe than the string theory and the quantum field theory. What I believe is that the ...
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What is it exactly that conflicts when trying to unify all 4 fundamental forces? [duplicate]
Everyone knows that there are 4 fundamental forces:
Gravity
Electromagnetic
Weak
Strong
At school and university you're taught that no one has been able to unify these 4 fources. However, not a ...
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What are the technical obstructions that prevent scale relativity from being a viable theory of quantum-gravity? [closed]
This post has been imported on physicsoverflow, see here.
The astrophysicist Laurent Nottale develops since 1984 the scale relativity, which aims to unify quantum physics and relativity theory, using ...
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What is high energy physics?
Is high energy physics the same as particle physics?
Does research in high-energy physics include things like quantum gravity, string theory and quantum field theory?
Is unifying the four ...
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Fundamental equations
I was reading Our Mathematical Universe by Tegmark and thinking about the relationships of physics equations to the five he lists on page 250: Maxwell’s electromagnetism equation, Einstein’s special ...
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Can we know if "all" physical laws are discovered? [closed]
Before Einstein, scientists believed that all physical laws to be discovered were already discovered. Of course, that was proven wrong.
If we somehow manage to come up with the Theory Of Everything ...
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All of Physics! [duplicate]
In several of Neil Turok's talks, he talks about this equation that encompasses all of physics. Here it is:
How much of it is true? If it isn't, then is it possible to put all of our knowledge of ...
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Are all elementary interactions arising from a gauge theory?
The standard model of particle physics is based on the gauge group $U(1) \times SU(2) \times SU(3)$ and describes all well-known physical interactions but with exception that gravity isn't involved. ...
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Can you explain this "Theory of Everything"? [duplicate]
I recently come across with an amazing equation of Theory of Everything; I wonder if TOE has been formulated (???) I found this equation on a website, check it out http://www.preposterousuniverse.com/...
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What does Lee Smolin mean when he says that the most fundamental theory can have no symmetries?
Quote from Lee Smolin in Scientific American:
There are some lazy ideas about unification that reflect uncritical thinking, such as the idea that the more fundamental a phenomena [sic] is the more ...
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Is the hard problem of consciousness an obstacle to finding a physical theory of everything? Why or why not?
I do not understand how, without understanding the mind and how (physical) neural interactions within the brain give rise to consciousness, one can have a definitive theory of everything. There will ...
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Can anyone explain to a novice physicist whether there is a gravitational-electromagnetic symmetry?
I am trying to understand how the four fundamental forces relate to one another and to a theory of everything. As I understand it the unified force that is thought to exist at very high energies gets ...
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Methods of detecting gravitino DM and possible implications for theories of everything
Let me summarize my thoughts about topics in theoretical physics:
Theory of everything: The theory of everything aims to unite all the four forces of nature into one single elegant equation.
...
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Can we derive most fundamental laws from the Action Principle? [duplicate]
It is said in the book Fearful Symmetry - The Search for Beauty in Modern Physics that we can derive all basic laws in physics from a simple principle called Least Action Principle (although it may be ...
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Theories that predict the number of space-time dimensions
My impression in that most theories assume three spatial dimensions and one temporal dimension, though could in principle be formulated in others numbers of dimensions without inconsistencies. I know, ...
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