Michio Kaku, String Theory, and a Theory of Everything [VIDEO]
In this article:
- Who is Michio Kaku?
- What is the Theory of Everything?
- What is String Theory?
- Michio Kaku and String Theory
- String Theory and Cosmic Music [VIDEO]
Who is Michio Kaku?
Michio Kaku is a theoretical physicist and professor at the City College of New York. Michio Kaku has authored several books on physics, including New York Times best sellers Physics of the Impossible, Physics of the Future, The Future of the Mind, and The God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything. Many may also recognize Michio Kaku from the 2015 show, Next World.
What is the Theory of Everything?
“Theory of Everything,” or “The God Equation,” describes a theory that would completely explain and unify all aspects of the physical universe. The discovery of such a theory is a primary pursuit of many modern physicists, including Dr. Kaku.
In the 20th century, Einstein’s discovery of general relativity, or theory of gravitation, and the development of quantum mechanics were momentous achievements that have defined modern physics. General relativity describes the physical properties of gravity and large-scale objects in space, and quantum mechanics describes the physical properties of small-scale objects such as atoms and subatomic particles. While each theory can be tested with amazing accuracy, they do not hold true when one of them is applied to the realm or subject matter of the other theory. This is why scientists have since longed for one theory that could unify these two and explain the whole universe, big and small, at once.
What is String Theory?
String theory is one candidate among several others for the theory of everything. String theory hypothesizes that what humans perceive as particles are in fact one-dimensional entities, or strings, that vibrate and produce properties like the mass or charge of a particle.
Michio Kaku and String Theory
When young Dr. Michio Kaku learned of Einstein’s tireless, 30-year pursuit of this elusive theory of everything, he was intrigued and wanted to continue this work that Einstein left unfinished.
In the 4-minute video clip below, Michio Kaku discusses the effect that Einstein’s attempt at discovering a unified theory of everything had on his life, how that led him into string theory, and how strings may be the fundamental aspect of the cosmos.
Michio Kaku Video on the String Theory Equation
Watch to hear Dr. Kaku's fascinating description of string theory and cosmic music.
