Dimensions - how many are there in universe?

In summary, the most accepted answer is that there are 4 dimensions in the universe - 3 of space and 1 of time, as described in the theory of Special and General Relativity. However, some physicists are exploring the idea of adding more dimensions to explain other forces in the universe, such as the electromagnetic, strong, and weak forces. Depending on the theory, there may be as many as 24 dimensions required, but this is still a topic of ongoing research.
  • #1
ananthu017
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dimensions -- how many are there in universe?

how many dimensions are there in universe and what are they ?
 
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The most accepted answer is 4. We live in spacetime 3 dimensions of space and one of time as described in Special and General Relativity theory. General Relativity describes gravity as a curvature of spacetime and so more recently physicists have been attempting to describes the other forces known in the universe, namely Electromagnetic, Strong and Weak nuclear forces by adding more dimensions to the mix but we are not there yet to definitively say via theory that there are more dimensions than 4.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime
 
  • #3
Slight correction- four dimensions are sufficient for the electromagnetic force as well as gravity. It is the Strong and Weak force that may require as many as 24 dimensions, depending upon which theory you prefer!
 
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  • #4
HallsofIvy said:
Slight correction- four dimensions are sufficient for the electromagnetic force as well as gravity. It is the Strong and Weak force that may require as many as 24 dimensions, depending upon which theory you prefer!

Thanks, I was thinking of Kaluza-Klein theory which needed a 5th dimension for EM:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaluza–Klein_theory
 
  • #5
HallsofIvy said:
Slight correction- four dimensions are sufficient for the electromagnetic force as well as gravity. It is the Strong and Weak force that may require as many as 24 dimensions, depending upon which theory you prefer!
Is this meant to be a joke? Strong and weak forces work perfectly well in 4 dimensions. The quantization of gravity (via string theory) requires 26 dimensions for bosonic degrees of freedom, and 10 dimensions for fermionic.
 

FAQ: Dimensions - how many are there in universe?

What is the definition of "dimensions" in the context of the universe?

Dimensions refer to the number of coordinates needed to locate a point in space. In the context of the universe, dimensions are often used to describe the fundamental qualities or properties that make up our reality.

How many dimensions are there in the universe?

The most commonly accepted answer is that there are four dimensions in the universe: length, width, height, and time. This is known as the four-dimensional space-time continuum.

Are there any other dimensions besides the four we experience?

There are many theories that suggest the possibility of additional dimensions beyond the four we experience. Some theories propose the existence of up to 11 dimensions, while others suggest an infinite number of dimensions. However, these additional dimensions are purely hypothetical and have not been proven by scientific evidence.

What is the theory of multiple universes and how does it relate to dimensions?

The theory of multiple universes, also known as the multiverse theory, suggests that there may be many parallel universes besides our own. In some versions of this theory, each universe may have its own set of dimensions, allowing for different possibilities and outcomes. However, this theory is still highly debated and has not been proven.

Why do we only experience four dimensions in our reality?

Our ability to perceive and experience dimensions is limited by our physical bodies and the laws of physics in our universe. It is possible that other beings or forms of life may experience more dimensions, but as humans, we are limited to the four dimensions of length, width, height, and time.

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