Test for String Theory Developed

inexion writes "PhyOrg is reporting that SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center) scientists have found a way to test the revolutionary theory, which posits that there are 10 or 11 dimensions in our universe. This past December, Joanne Hewett, Thomas Rizzo, and student Ben Lillie published an article in Physical Review Letters which shows theoretically how to measure the number of dimensions that comprise the universe. By determining how many dimensions exist, Hewett and Rizzo hope to either confirm or repudiate string theory under specific conditions which would consist of creating and examining 'micro-black holes', which could be formed by smashing two high energy protons together. Using the predicted decay properties of the emitted neutrinos, Hewett and Rizzo solved equations to find that our universe may have more than 10 or 11 dimensions -- too many dimensions to be explained by string theory."

Comments

Re: I'd really like to see string theory ....

[Black Parrot]

> but golly gee whiz, what happens if the the mini black holes don't behave quite exactly like they're supposed to?

Given 11 dimensions to work with, it will be easier to kiss your ass good-bye.

Re:A Lot of 'Theoreticals'

[Beryllium Sphere(tm)]

>Hell, do we even have the capabilities to smash two high energy protons together?

Yes, it's routine.

I predict

[Centurix]

That when they find out that String Theory is String Fact, they'll find out that the string was placed there to keep the nano-kittens occupied.

String?

[Jarn_Firebrand]

How is string supposed to predict the amount of dimensions? Do they drop it in a black hole and see how far it goes, and use it from that?


Sincerely, Confused in the Fifteenth Dimension

My God! It's Ed Wood!

[eldavojohn]

I mean if make a mini-black hole and drop it on the floor by acident, wouldn't it just absorb more and more mass on the way to the center of the earth.

I didn't know Ed Wood developed plot lines on Slashdot.

WTF?

[Lord_Dweomer]

"which would consist of creating and examining 'micro-black holes', which could be formed by smashing two high energy protons together."

Since when have we been able to create micro-black holes? Man.....screw lightsabers, i want a gun that shoots micro-black holes!

New Application

[SilentOneNCW]

Yes, but will string theory prevent Xbox 360s from overheating?

Re:The universe is ... what?

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, our current theories may be incorrent (you never know), but if micro-black-holes were able to grow without bound, then you'd expect the universe to be littered with black holes all over the place (which is not the case).

Yeah, there's nothing wrong with guestimated probability, or an understanding of the universe based on an uneducated perception. Hell, what's the worst that could happen, anyway? Tho', who among us would recognize a micro-black-hole if we saw one ...?

Oh, well. I hereby declare micro-singularities safe! As far as we know. Er, have observed. Which isn't much. At all, really. So ... um ... good luck.

Boom.

(Incidentally, I "expect" this post to merrily go completely unnoticed and acquire a total score of 0.)

Scientists never learn

[tribentwrks]

You'd think they'd leave this stuff alone after the "incident" over at the Black Mesa Facility. I think 4 dimensions is plenty for us right now.

Re:I'd really like to see that.

[Anonymous Coward]

Given 11 dimensions, how many one-liners can we post successively starting with "given 11 dimensions...?"

Re:Further OT: Jay Leno joke.

[Beolach]

I had a history professor who called the History Channel "All Hitler, all the time." I found it very funny when I happened to be watching it one night, when they were talking about the history of building roads... and of course talked about Hitler in conjunction w/ the German autobahnen.