Bear with me.
We live in what appears to be a four dimensional world. In its simple terms: a line describes one dimension, a plane describes two dimensions, a cube describes three dimensions, and time (which has unique properties in relation to the other dimensions of our world) describes four dimensions. Overall, we give minimal thought to these dimensional concepts.
In the past two or three decades, though, major speculation, theorizing, and research commenced on the probable existence of up to 10 dimensions (of which we were previously unaware). This speculation and research began as an attempt to explain currently existing gaps in the laws of physics — particularly a gap between Einstein’s theory of gravity and other scientists’ theories explaining radiation and sub-atomic particles. For some reason, scientists couldn’t come up with a reputable theory that successfully described these two critical theories in physics.
Leading physicists ultimately theorized that these anomalies could be explained by the existence of unseen and unknown forces. These forces turned out to be the aforementioned 10 dimensions. It’s almost impossible for someone like me (without an advanced physics degree) to explain, but the gist of the 10 dimensions – or String Theory as it’s called – is that there are six extra dimensions that exist beyond our comprehension. These additional six dimensions exist in curled up “strings” that are omnipresent throughout our entire universe.
In order to more eloquently describe the concept of higher dimensions, I defer to super-genius and theoretical physicist Michio Kaku:
To visualize higher dimensions, consider a Japanese tea garden, where carp spend their entire lives swimming on the bottom of a shallow pond. The carp are only vaguely aware of a world beyond the surface. To a carp “scientist,” the universe only consists of two dimensions, length and width. There is no such thing as “height.” In fact, they are incapable of imagining a third dimension beyond the pond. The word “up” has no meaning for them. (Imagine their distress if we were to suddenly lift them out of their two dimensional universe into “hyperspace,” i.e. our world!) However, if it rains, then the surface of their pond becomes rippled. Although the third dimension is beyond their comprehension, they can clearly see the waves traveling on the pond’s surface. (http://mkaku.org/home/?page_id=423)
To relate the previous quote to our world and our understanding of the physical world in higher dimensions, Kaku explains that ” although we earthlings cannot see these higher dimensions, we can see their ripples when they vibrate. According to this theory, light is nothing but vibrations rippling along the 5th dimension.” Using this description, perhaps it is easier to imagine how higher dimensions might compare to our world of four dimensions.
Think hard enough and it just might make sense.
Perhaps we’ll never fully comprehend the full 10 dimensions that are described in String Theory, but it is something interesting and worthwhile to discuss when trying to get a better, more thorough understanding of our world (and the future of science).
