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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The method of tearing space-time discovered by Greene and others is called _____.

2. In what important way does string theory affect the cosmological model of the big bang?

3. In M-theory, what role does duality play?

4. Who first proposed the existence of extra dimensions?

5. Under string theory, which of the following is true regarding extra dimensions?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the relationship between the elementary particles and the Calabi-Yau space?

2. What is the origin of M-theory, and what are its basic characteristics?

3. How does a black hole's entropy change?

4. Describe Kaluza-Klein theory.

5. What is a wormhole, and how is it formed?

6. In the context of the big bang, what is symmetry breaking?

7. Greene suggests that black holes are very similar to, and might in fact be, elementary particles. What evidence supports this suggestion?

8. Describe the history of space-time tears in physics.

9. What is the major problem preventing string theory from gaining widespread acceptance, and why does this problem persist?

10. Describe the entire process of a conifold transition.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

M for Mystery

M-theory is an as yet undiscovered theory that would unit the five fields of string theory. What the "M" stands for is actually subject to some debate, but the theory suggests that there are connections between the five seemingly disparate theories.

Part 1) Describe the origin of the five string theories, explaining why their existence is an embarrassment for the field.

Part 2) Explain the history of M-theory. When and why was it proposed, and what progress has been made since it was created? What is its current scientific status?

Part 3) Explain the concept of duality, which relates different string theories. Has this theory has any success, and what are its prospects in the future?

Essay Topic 2

Uncertainty

One of the most infamous characteristics of quantum mechanics is Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. It affects nearly all events in the field of quantum mechanics, and has deep implications for our understanding of the universe.

Part 1) What is the uncertainty principle and how was it discovered. Explain the operation of this principle and provide at least two examples of its workings.

Part 2) The uncertainty principle predicts a range of probabilities for the location of a particle. This range is sometimes called the particle's waveform. This waveform is said to "collapse" when the particle is observed. Describe in as much detail as possible the nature of the waveform, and our understanding of how this collapse occurs.

Part 3) Describe how the uncertainty principle affects quantum mechanics, and provide examples of how it has affected other fields of physics and the sciences.

Part 4) There is much speculation about what the uncertainty principle means. Do particles "choose" where to be when observed? Is there some sort of unseen randomizing force or agent? Do we ourselves choose where the particle will be? In this final section of the essay, speculate as to what the wider implications of the uncertainty principle might be. Provide at least one well-reasoned speculation, using scientific information from the book and other sources, if necessary.

Essay Topic 3

Into the Unknowns

In the final chapter of the book, the author calls the readers attention to the major problems remaining in string theory, as well as to its most promising achievements. Confirmation of string theory is still far away, but the theory is so elegant and has so much potential that it cannot and should not be let go. This essay is about a final assessment of string theory's status and overall worth.

Part 1) Discuss the major shortcoming of string theory, especially the problems with experimental confirmation. Include a discussion of the perturbation method and its validity.

Part 2) Explain string theory's most important assets, including its incredible descriptive power, and its ability to unite quantum mechanics and general relativity. Be sure to discuss the promising new progress that Greene outlines in the later chapters.

Part 3) Using all of the information presented in the book, assess string theories status. How stable is its foundation? Is it likely to be the final theory of everything?

(see the answer keys)

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