The Universe - A Quest for Reality -

By Nina Niermann, Julia Panczyk & Lisa Timmermann

Emergent Complexity in Physics 17.12.2004

Table of Contents

• A short History of Physics Newton Einstein QM prospective unified theories

• Cosmology challenges of recent discoveries

• concluding thoughts

Milestones in Physics

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727)• universal gravitation• laws of motion• groudwork for classical mechanics

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)• special relativity• general relativity• photoelectric effect

Quantum Mechanics• quantization• particle-wave duality

The Standard Model

Categorized according to mass:

• Leptons

• Mesons

• Baryons

Categorized according to spin:

• Bosons

• Fermions

Hadrons Quarks

Confrontation of Two Successful Theories

General RelativityQuantum Field Theory

deals with particles assumes fixed spacetime (special coordinates) gravity caused by gravitons quantized energy includes standard model

micro scale

dynamic spacetime no objective frame of reference (independent coordinates) gravity = curved spacetime time slower in gravity field

macro scale

GUTS and TOES

2 prominent attempts of solving the problem:

String Theory

Loop Quantum Gravity

Unificatie

String Theory

• string = single elementary building block

• particle types = different vibrational modes

„Its incompleteness is strength as well as weakness of the theory“

A link between macro and micro

• purely mathematical

100 Years of Progress

• individual versus collective

• quantum mechanics & string theory: results of collaboration new media: reaction to reaction to reaction...

• interdisciplinary cooperation

The Modern Universe

• Fast-paced progression in cosmology

• Striking developments:

cosmic background radiation (WMAP)

dark matter dark energy expansion of the universe acceleration of expansion

Good for you...

Dynamic Universe

• Einstein: static universe introduction of cosmological constant

• detection of redshift expansion

• acceleration

Cosmic Background Radiation

• accidentally detected in 1960s

• radiation from era of recombination

• WMAP produces image of CBR (2003)

• density fluctuation

Dark Matter & Dark Energy

• hints for existance:

cosmic background radiation critical mass density

• 2-5 % luminous matter• ~ 25 % dark matter• ~ 70 % dark energy

• prominent candidate for dark matter: neutralino• candidates for dark energy: vacuum energy, cosmological constant

Dijkgraafian Thoughts

• challenges to string theory: create complete picture incorporation and prediction of new discoveries Large Hadron Collider

• modern research: no one way street

• derivation of spacetime

• „It‘s all about asking questions!“

Any questions...... from the

experts?

May the Force be with you...

Nina NiermannJulia PanczykLisa Timmermann

Special Thanks to:Prof. Robbert DijkgraafProf. Ronald Westra