Much like other candidates for a grand unifying theory – aka the Theory of Everything (TOE) – the belief that the universe is made up of ten dimensions (or more, depending on which model of string theory you use) is an attempt to reconcile the standard model of particle physics with the existence of gravity. billions of years ago), they might be able to see how the existence of these additional dimensions could have influenced the evolution of the cosmos. Hence why scientists believe that peering back through time, using telescopes to spot light from the early universe (i.e. While imperceptible as far as our senses are concerned, they would have governed the formation of the universe from the very beginning. If the extra dimensions are compactified, then the extra six dimensions must be in the form of a Calabi–Yau manifold (shown above). He existence of extra dimensions is explained using the Calabi-Yau manifold, in which all the intrinsic properties of elementary particles are hidden. The fact that we can perceive only four dimensions of space can be explained by one of two mechanisms: either the extra dimensions are compactified on a very small scale, or else our world may live on a 3-dimensional submanifold corresponding to a brane, on which all known particles besides gravity would be restricted (aka. The existence of these additional six dimensions which we cannot perceive is necessary for String Theory in order for there to be consistency in nature. Beyond this, nothing can be imagined by us lowly mortals, which makes it the natural limitation of what we can conceive in terms of dimensions. In the tenth and final dimension, we arrive at the point in which everything possible and imaginable is covered. In the ninth dimension, we can compare all the possible universe histories, starting with all the different possible laws of physics and initial conditions. The eighth dimension again gives us a plane of such possible universe histories, each of which begins with different initial conditions and branches out infinitely (hence why they are called infinities). Whereas in the fifth and sixth, the initial conditions were the same and subsequent actions were different, here, everything is different from the very beginning of time. In the seventh dimension, you have access to the possible worlds that start with different initial conditions. In theory, if you could master the fifth and sixth dimension, you could travel back in time or go to different futures. In the sixth, we would see a plane of possible worlds, where we could compare and position all the possible universes that start with the same initial conditions as this one (i.e. The other dimensions are where the deeper possibilities come into play, and explaining their interaction with the others is where things get particularly tricky for physicists. Along with the three other dimensions, knowing an objects position in time is essential to plotting its position in the universe. Scientists believe that the fourth dimension is time, which governs the properties of all known matter at any given point. Beyond these three lie the seven dimensions which are not immediately apparent to us, but which can be still be perceived as having a direct effect on the universe and reality as we know it. The perfect example of this is a cube, which exists in three dimensions and has a length, width, depth, and hence volume. The third dimension involves depth (the z-axis), and gives all objects a sense of area and a cross-section. Add to it a second dimension, the y-axis (or height), and you get an object that becomes a 2-dimensional shape (like a square). A good description of a one-dimensional object is a straight line, which exists only in terms of length and has no other discernible qualities. The first dimension, as already noted, is that which gives it length (aka. These different aspects are what govern the universe, the fundamental forces of nature, and all the elementary particles contained within. In fact, the theoretical framework of Superstring Theory posits that the universe exists in ten different dimensions. We are immediately aware of the three dimensions that surround us on a daily basis – those that define the length, width, and depth of all objects in our universes (the x, y, and z axes, respectively).īeyond these three visible dimensions, scientists believe that there may be many more. To break it down, dimensions are simply the different facets of what we perceive to be reality.
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