Relativity and string theory

**Bansheet** · 02-01-2013 01:37 AM

If one wanted to get into stuff such as Einsteins theory of relativity and string theory. Where would one go about finding trustworthy and accurate sources? And where would be a good place to start if ones knowledge is limited to peaking ones interest?

ps. One doesn't refer to oneself as one to sound like a smart-ass but because one should have gone to bed a few hours ago...

**Xei** · 02-01-2013 01:48 AM

Why relativity and string theory? The point of string theory is to try to unify relativity and quantum physics, so it would make more sense to learn about quantum physics first, and relativity. Would you like some popsci books which talk about the interesting things in theoretical physics as a whole?

**Bansheet** · 02-01-2013 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by Xei

Why relativity and string theory? The point of string theory is to try to unify relativity and quantum physics, so it would make more sense to learn about quantum physics first, and relativity. Would you like some popsci books which talk about the interesting things in theoretical physics as a whole?

Haha, as I said my knowledge is very limited I have just heard them mentioned and it has peeked my interest. Theoretical physics as a whole sounds good, you probably know far better than me where to start. If there are good internet sources I would definetly like that over a book since I don't really have a lot of money to spare the next few months. I'm confident that I will be able to understand pretty complicated stuff but obviously I'll need to start with the basics

**Tornado Joe** · 02-09-2013 07:24 PM

Nova did a great series on the topic which you can view onlline- do a search fo "Elegant Universe". It starts from Newton's law of gravity and takes you through the history up through string theory and the "M" theory. Really easy to understand and has some pretty cool graphics.

I downloaded the series and burned it to a disk- always fun to pop it in every now and then on a rainy day.

**SnowyCat** · 02-09-2013 09:06 PM

Try reading some Brian Greene! He is the author of "The Elegant Universe" (which was then turned into an excellent Nova series, as mentioned above) as well as a few other magnificent books focused on informing the non-physicist about interesting topics such as relativity, string theory, cosmology, and many more.