Editing M-theory (section)

===Branes===

{{main article|Brane}}

In string theory and related theories such as supergravity theories, a [[brane]] is a physical object that generalizes the notion of a point particle to higher dimensions. For example, a point particle can be viewed as a brane of dimension zero, while a string can be viewed as a brane of dimension one. It is also possible to consider higher-dimensional branes. In dimension {{math|''p''}}, these are called {{math|''p''}}-branes. Branes are dynamical objects which can propagate through spacetime according to the rules of quantum mechanics. They can have mass and other attributes such as charge. A {{math|''p''}}-brane sweeps out a {{math|(''p''&nbsp;+&nbsp;1)}}-dimensional volume in spacetime called its ''worldvolume''. Physicists often study [[field (physics)|fields]] analogous to the [[electromagnetic field]] which live on the worldvolume of a brane. The word brane comes from the word "membrane" which refers to a two-dimensional brane.<ref>Moore 2005</ref>

In string theory, the fundamental objects that give rise to elementary particles are the one-dimensional strings. Although the physical phenomena described by M-theory are still poorly understood, physicists know that the theory describes two- and five-dimensional branes. Much of the current research in M-theory attempts to better understand the properties of these branes.{{efn|For example, see the subsections on the [[6D (2,0) superconformal field theory]] and [[ABJM superconformal field theory]].}}