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Programme two: The Future

Super symmetry
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Before the Big Bang the universe existed as a single point – a singularity. At this point, the four forces were melded into one symmetrical super-force. As the universe expanded, symmetry started to break and become messy and uneven. This is the theory of super symmetry. It solves the problem of general unevenness, but it can’t explain why gravity is so much weaker than the other forces.

Stephen Hawking's 'A Brief History of Time'A little magnet easily picking up a paper clipSuper symmetryString theory
String theory brings together Einstein's relativity and quantum mechanicsGreen and Schwarz's calculations showed that 11 dimensions must existDoughnut shapes could represent two dimensions curled up togetherIf gravity does seep into our world through extra dimensions, then it will produce lots of tiny exploding black holes around the points of entry
The LHC (Large Hadron Collider) in Switzerland, the biggest particle accelerator in the worldIf they do exist, Hawking's tiny exploding black holes will show up in the particle accelerator like the lights of a Christmas tree
Master of the Universe: Video Clips
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