From Newton to Witten: the evolution of knowledge about gravity

The concept of paradigm shift is addressed, referring to those moments in science when a set of physical laws is completely rethought. A classic example is the shift from Newtonian physics to Einstein’s theory of relativity. While Newton explained gravity as a force between bodies, Einstein introduced a radically different concept: gravity is a deformation of spacetime. This change not only impacted our understanding of the universe on a large scale, but it also has tangible effects on everyday phenomena, such as the tides, caused by the deformation of spacetime due to the Moon.

The article also explores extreme gravity in black holes, where gravity is so strong that it deforms any nearby object to the point of “spaghettification.” These extreme scenarios pose problems for general relativity, as singularities appear where physical laws no longer hold. To resolve this conflict between relativity and quantum mechanics, the need for a unified theory arises: quantum gravity.

In this context, M-theory, proposed by Edward Witten in 1995, is presented. M-theory expands on the ideas of string theory, postulating the existence of eleven dimensions and new entities like branes. This theoretical framework has the potential to unify general relativity with quantum mechanics, solving mysteries like black holes and the Big Bang.

Finally, scientific evolution is compared to human evolution, highlighting how the shift from Newton to Einstein marked a leap in our understanding, and how M-theory could represent the next major paradigm shift.