Chapter One, Tied Up with String Summary and Analysis

Chapter one gives an introduction and background information about developments in physics. Modern physics relies on two major pillars: general relativity and quantum mechanics. However, as they currently stand, the two theories are in direct conflict with one another and cannot both be correct. General relativity concerns the large scale universe, and quantum mechanics concerns the small scale universe: stars, supernovas, and galaxies vs. atoms and electrons. Though usually physicists only deal with either the very large or the very small, sometimes in extreme cases they must use both, such as at the very tiny, yet incredibly massive innermost point of a black hole. Superstring theory not only makes general relativity and quantum mechanics compatible, but makes them dependent upon the other to make sense. According to Einstein's theory of special...