String Theory For Dummies

Introduction 1 Part 1: Introducing String Theory 5 Chapter 1: So What Is String Theory Anyway? 7 Chapter 2: The Physics Road Dead-Ends at Quantum Gravity 21 Chapter 3: Accomplishments and Failures of String Theory 35 Part 2: The Physics Upon Which String Theory Is Built 45 Chapter 4: Putting String Theory in Context: Understanding the Method of Science 47 Chapter 5: What You Must Know about Classical Physics 61 Chapter 6: Revolutionizing Space and Time: Einstein's Relativity 81 Chapter 7: Brushing Up on Quantum Theory Basics 101 Chapter 8: The Standard Model of Particle Physics 119 Chapter 9: Physics in Space: Considering Cosmology and Astrophysics 141 Part 3: Building String Theory: A Theory of Everything 161 Chapter 10: Early Strings and Superstrings: Unearthing the Theory's Beginnings 163 Chapter 11: M-Theory and Beyond: Bringing String Theory Together 187 Chapter 12: Exploring Strings and Their Landscape 203 Chapter 13: Gaining Insights from the Holographic Principle 217 Chapter 14: Putting String Theory to the Test 237 Part 4: The Unseen Cosmos: String Theory on the Boundaries of Knowledge 261 Chapter 15: Making Space for Extra Dimensions 263 Chapter 16: Our Universe -- String Theory, Cosmology, and Astrophysics 279 Chapter 17: Have Time, Will Travel 297 Part 5: What the Other Guys Say: Criticisms and Alternatives 317 Chapter 18: Taking a Closer Look at the String Theory Controversy 319 Chapter 19: Loop Quantum Gravity: String Theory's Biggest Competitor 339 Chapter 20: Considering Other Ways to Explain the Universe 349 Part 6: The Part of Tens 365 Chapter 21: Ten Tests for a Theory of Quantum Gravity 367 Index 373

Andrew Zimmerman Jones, PhD, is the physics guide at About.com, where he writes lessons and explanations for common physics problems and questions. Andrew earned his degree in physics from Wabash College and his PhD in mathematics from Purdue University. He is the author of the previous edition of String Theory For Dummies.

Alessandro Sfondrini is a theoretical physicist. He obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in physics from the University of Padova. He is currently a Rita Levi-Montalcini Fellow and assistant professor in theoretical physics and mathematical methods and models at the University of Padova, as well as a member and IBM Einstein Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.