Marvel loves the idea of multiple dimensions, judging by the recent release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. To be honest, we also find the thought exciting, and fortunately, it might not all be fiction. Some theories claim that our universe is only one of many. The most important one is string theory which aims to explain everything about fundamental particles like protons, neutrons, and electrons, and forces —gravity included— within the same framework. If physicists succeed in doing this, it may be time to plan a vacation to an alternate dimension! Here is what we know about the multiverse.
The universe, according to string theory
All of this theorizing about multiple dimensions stems from a common source: string theory. The idea is that fundamental particles are not dots but tiny loops of vibrating string. Remember the giant multi-dimensional library from Interstellar?
Yeah, that’s why it looked like it was woven. According to string theory, the particles are different types of threads, and forces are like oscillation modes. The framework also supports the idea that six more spatial dimensions exist, but they’d be too tiny to see. Fascinating, right?
