The expansion of the universe, evidence of a 4th spatial dimension?

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of the balloon analogy to explain the big bang theory and the expansion of space. The analogy is limited and does not fully capture the concept. The thread linked provides a more concise explanation of the topic. A toy similar to the one shown is used to question if the increase of distance between the orange dots is analogous to the expansion of space. Some participants believe it is, while others suggest it is not a perfect analogy.
  • #1
pondzo
169
0
in order to explain the big bang theory and the expansion of space itself, people often draw upon the analogy of blowing air into a balloon and the 2 dimensional surface of the balloon expanding. isn't the 2-D balloon surface expanding in the third dimension, since the volume of the balloon is increasing. so in the same way couldn't the expansion of three dimensional space be indicative of the existence of a 4th spatial dimension (not temporal ) ?
 
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  • #2
See https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=261161#post1899468

4. to understand that something can be curved without there being an extra dimension---part of the mental exercise is to picture the balloon surface as all there is, there is no inside the balloon and there is no outside---only the balloon surface exists.

The balloon analogy is just that- an analogy. It's not perfect and has limitations. The entire thread is worth perusing.
 
  • #3
thanks for the link jimmy, ill try and get through the thread, but it is quite lengthy!
 
  • #4
pondzo said:
thanks for the link jimmy, ill try and get through the thread, but it is quite lengthy!

Try the link in my signature
 
  • #5
Thanks, phinds. I wish I would have remembered your page. Much more concise than that long thread. :thumbs:
 
  • #6
Thank you for the link phinds, much quicker than the other thread, although the other thread has some interesting content.

i have had this toy for a while exactly the same as this:
is the increase of the distance between the (inside layer) orange dots at all analogical to the expansion of space?
 
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  • #7
pondzo said:
Thank you for the link phinds, much quicker than the other thread, although the other thread has some interesting content.

i have had this toy for a while exactly the same as this:
is the increase of the distance between the (inside layer) orange dots at all analogical to the expansion of space?


I can't see it very well, it all moves so fast, but yeah, it does look like metric expansion if you consider only the dots.
 
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FAQ: The expansion of the universe, evidence of a 4th spatial dimension?

What is the evidence for the expansion of the universe?

The evidence for the expansion of the universe comes from several sources, including the observation of redshift in the light from distant galaxies, the cosmic microwave background radiation, and the distribution of galaxies in the universe. These observations suggest that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, meaning that the space between galaxies is increasing.

How is the expansion of the universe related to a 4th spatial dimension?

The expansion of the universe is not necessarily related to a 4th spatial dimension. In fact, current theories and observations suggest that the universe has three spatial dimensions (length, width, and height) and one dimension of time. The concept of a 4th spatial dimension is still a topic of debate and further research.

What is the concept of a 4th spatial dimension?

The concept of a 4th spatial dimension is a theoretical idea that suggests there may be an additional spatial dimension beyond the three dimensions that we are familiar with. This concept has been explored in various scientific theories, such as string theory and M-theory, but has not yet been proven or observed.

How would a 4th spatial dimension affect our understanding of the universe?

If a 4th spatial dimension does exist, it could potentially change our understanding of the universe in many ways. It could provide an explanation for certain phenomena, such as dark matter and dark energy, which are currently not fully understood. It could also lead to new insights and predictions about the behavior of matter and energy in the universe.

Is there any experimental evidence for a 4th spatial dimension?

Currently, there is no experimental evidence for a 4th spatial dimension. However, some scientists believe that future experiments, such as those at the Large Hadron Collider, may provide evidence or insights into the possible existence of a 4th spatial dimension. Until then, the concept remains a theoretical idea in the field of physics.

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