We invite researchers to discuss the impact of extra dimensions on fundamental forces, quantum mechanics, dark matter, dark energy, and cosmic structure. Let's explore the theoretical and experimental implications of these fascinating concepts.
The concept of higher-dimensional spacetimes expands our understanding of the universe by suggesting that the four dimensions we experience (three spatial and one temporal) may be part of a broader framework. Theoretical models like string theory propose that additional spatial dimensions exist, but they are compactified or hidden at scales beyond current experimental detection. These extra dimensions provide a natural explanation for some of the unresolved questions in physics, such as the unification of gravity with quantum mechanics and the behavior of fundamental forces. By extending spacetime, higher-dimensional theories offer new perspectives on the fundamental structure of reality, potentially revealing connections between disparate physical phenomena.
One major implication of higher-dimensional spacetimes is the unification of forces. In models like Kaluza-Klein theory, the incorporation of a fifth dimension elegantly unifies electromagnetism with gravity by interpreting the electromagnetic field as arising from geometric properties of the higher-dimensional spacetime. Similarly, string theory and M-theory utilize multiple extra dimensions to harmonize all known forces, including the strong and weak nuclear forces, within a single framework. This suggests that the apparent differences among forces in our observable universe might result from the projection of higher-dimensional interactions into four-dimensional spacetime.
Higher-dimensional spacetimes also provide insights into cosmology, particularly regarding the early universe and black holes. Extra dimensions can influence the evolution of the cosmos by modifying gravitational dynamics at high energies or small scales. For example, brane-world scenarios propose that our universe is a "brane" embedded in a higher-dimensional bulk, which could explain phenomena like dark matter and dark energy. Moreover, black holes in higher-dimensional spacetimes exhibit unique properties, such as "black strings" or modified event horizons, providing a richer testing ground for gravitational theories and a deeper understanding of spacetime singularities.
Despite these theoretical advancements, higher-dimensional spacetimes pose significant challenges. Detecting evidence for extra dimensions requires experiments at energy scales far beyond current capabilities or subtle indirect observations, such as deviations in gravitational behavior at small distances. Additionally, compactification mechanisms—the ways these dimensions remain hidden—must be consistent with the observed low-dimensional universe. If confirmed, higher-dimensional spacetimes would revolutionize our understanding of physics, linking the macroscopic world of gravity with the microscopic quantum realm and offering profound insights into the ultimate nature of reality.
In the early 20th century, the Kaluza-Klein theory attempted to unify gravity and electromagnetism by adding a fifth dimension. Modern string theories require up to 10 or 11 dimensions to be mathematically consistent. These extra dimensions allow the different forces to be manifestations of a single fundamental interaction, appearing distinct only because of the way extra dimensions are compactified or curled up at extremely small scales.
Quantum Mechanics and Extra Dimensions;
The incorporation of extra dimensions has significant implications for quantum mechanics;
String Theory
Proposes that the fundamental constituents of the universe are one-dimensional "strings" rather than point particles. These strings vibrate at different frequencies, corresponding to different particles. The theory requires extra dimensions for mathematical consistency—specifically, 10 dimensions in superstring theory and 11 in M-theory.
Quantum Gravity
Extra dimensions provide a framework where gravity can be quantized. In higher-dimensional models, gravity's weakness compared to other forces might be explained by it propagating through extra dimensions, diluting its apparent strength in our four-dimensional perception.
Dark Matter and Dark Energy
The mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, which constitute about 95% of the universe's total mass-energy content, might be illuminated by higher-dimensional theories.
Dark Matter
Some models suggest that dark matter could be ordinary matter trapped in higher dimensions or that its effects are due to gravity leaking from our universe into extra dimensions. Particles that exist in higher dimensions but interact weakly with our own could manifest as dark matter.
Dark Energy
The accelerated expansion of the universe attributed to dark energy might be explained by the influence of extra dimensions on cosmic scales. Modifications to general relativity in higher dimensions could lead to effects that mimic dark energy without requiring a new form of energy.
Cosmic Structure and Brane Cosmology
Brane Worlds
In some higher-dimensional models, our four-dimensional universe is envisioned as a "brane" embedded in a higher-dimensional "bulk" space. Interactions with other branes or the bulk could impact cosmic evolution, structure formation, and gravitational phenomena.
Gravitational Waves and Extra Dimensions
The detection of gravitational waves opens up possibilities to test higher-dimensional theories. If extra dimensions exist, they could influence the propagation of gravitational waves, potentially observable in precise measurements.
Theoretical and Experimental Implications
Challenges in Detection
Extra dimensions, if compactified at extremely small scales (like the Planck length), are difficult to detect directly. However, high-energy experiments, such as those conducted at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), aim to find indirect evidence by searching for phenomena like mini black holes or deviations in particle interactions.
Astrophysical Observations
Precise cosmological measurements, such as those of the cosmic microwave background radiation or large-scale structure surveys, could reveal signatures of extra dimensions.
Mathematical Consistency and Predictive Power
Theoretical models involving extra dimensions must remain mathematically consistent and make testable predictions. This rigor ensures that such theories remain grounded in empirical science.
In summary
Higher-dimensional spacetimes potentially can offer a rich framework for addressing some of the most significant challenges in modern physics. By extending beyond the familiar four dimensions, these theories strive to unify fundamental forces, integrate quantum mechanics with gravity, and provide novel explanations for dark matter, dark energy, and the structure of the cosmos.
However, experimental verification remains a formidable challenge.
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Worthwhile reading on this subject;
Greene, B. (1999). The Elegant Universe. W.W. Norton & Company.
Randall, L., & Sundrum, R. (1999). "An Alternative to Compactification." Physical Review Letters, 83(23), 4690–4693.
Arkani-Hamed, N., Dimopoulos, S., & Dvali, G. (1998). "The Hierarchy Problem and New Dimensions at a Millimeter." Physics Letters B, 429(3-4), 263–272.
Shravan Kumar Pandey & Harri Shore a few years back I was working on reverse engineering CODATA 2018 dataset and had an intuitive leap and discovered a set of equations which computed Big-G to astonishing precision. In the 1st table the last equation involves c^11 power. This, i believe, can connect us to 11-Dimensional M-theory.
A side note is the stunning realization that G is an inverse square quantity -- its value shrinks covariant^-2 with the age of the universe. Perhaps this & the fact that stars in spiral arms "feel" the gravitational influence of their neighbors MUCH sooner than they feel the influence of the galactic core. So, stars in the spiral arms do not follow Newtonian predictions.
I would like to apologize in advance for the somewhat long text, but I hope that some of you will still read it and find inspiration in it.
Higher-dimensional spacetimes assume that space is continuous and infinitely divisible, adding additional dimensions to explain observed phenomena or unify theoretical frameworks.
In contrast, the segmented spacetime model assumes that space is fundamentally discrete and finite, composed of indivisible "chunks" with their own gravitational and temporal properties.
The primary distinction between our segmented spacetime model and higher-dimensional spacetimes lies in their foundational assumptions about the nature of space itself:
Segmented spacetime adopts a "bottom-up" approach, where macroscopic properties emerge from the collective behavior of microscopic building blocks. Higher-dimensional spacetimes, by contrast, follow a "top-down" perspective, seeking to explain complexity through simpler, fundamental principles.
Instead of being infinitely divisible, space in our model is made up of finite, indivisible segments or "chunks." These segments are analogous to pixels on a screen, where each defines the resolution of spacetime itself and cannot be further subdivided.
Traditional models treat space as a passive "stage" for physical interactions. Matter and energy move through this background, which is neutral and inactive. By comparison, the segmented spacetime model envisions space as an active, dynamic player with intrinsic properties that shape the universe’s behavior.
For instance, in our model, the curvature of a space segment determines the trajectory of light or matter passing through it, much like how the curvature of a lens bends light. Gravitational lensing - where the path of light is bent due to spacetime curvature - is a vivid example of how space’s intrinsic properties influence cosmic phenomena.
In the segmented model, lensing effects like the Einstein cross or the "ring" shapes around black holes emerge from the discrete curvatures of individual space segments. Together, they create the intricate bending patterns we observe, offering a granular perspective on these phenomena.
To summarize: these effects vividly illustrate that space is not a passive backdrop, but an active, dynamic participant in the cosmic interplay of matter, energy, and gravity, shaping the universe in ways we are only beginning to uncover.
Article Segmented Spacetime and the Natural Boundary of Black Holes:...
Time is a functional entity that indicates the interval between two states or between two locations of a material body in space.
Space is an imaginary and unlimited container envisaged by rational beings whenever they think of a real entity.
Combining two imaginary entities—space and time—can produce another functional entity. Functional entities have no physical properties. They have no objective reality and exist only in the minds of their creators.
To specify the location of a real entity or a point in space, we measure its distance from a reference point. The most convenient method is to divide the space into eight parts using three mutually perpendicular planes through the origin and then specify the object's distance from each of these reference planes to give us three-dimensional space. Higher spatial dimensions can be envisaged only when you can partition the space by more than three mutually perpendicular planes through the origin.
The point of introducing additional dimensions in solving various problems related to the expansion of their mathematical base is to try to expand this base in one direction or another. For example, from a formal point of view, one can additionally introduce spatial or time dimensions. However, if there is a need to solve a specific problem, the expansion of the base should be reduced to the necessary minimum, sufficient to solve this particular problem. New questions that require solutions will arise later. Until now, such fundamental problems as the structure of the observable Universe and its dynamics in time have been solved mainly within the framework of the theory of the "expanding Universe". Such attachment to only one version of the development of the same model, which has lasted for several decades, has actually reduced all of modern cosmology to the interpretation of one and the same model of an expanding universe, in which time flows uniformly, and 3-space is homogeneous. But in such a model there is no place for such generally accepted concepts as gravity, rotation, unevenness of time up to its complete stop, and reverse time. Modern cosmology is captivated by the theory of a homogeneous isotropic universe, despite the fact that in the real world there is gravitational attraction, rotation, and unevenness of the course of observed time. Meanwhile, the mathematical basis of General Relativity allows for unevenness of the course of observed time up to its complete stop, as well as reverse flow - from the future to the past. The transition from time uniformly flowing in one direction to its expansion towards: 1) unevenness of the course of time; 2) stopping time; 3) the reverse flow of time. The above expands Generl Relativity to the theoretical possibilities for explaining the following phenomena: 1) teleportation (instant displacements in space); 2) the possibility of determining the positions of cosmic objects at the moment of their signal emission, as well as their position in the past and future in relation to the present moment. Otherwise, General Relativity would remain only the basis for Friedmann's cosmological theory, which, due to its structure, does not even provide an opportunity to understand what gravity and rotation are -- the main motions in the observed inhomogeneous anisotropic Universe.