if mass was created by two higher dimensional branes colliding, what caused the higher dimensional branes?

Question

to exist?

er, the big bang.

Answer 1

i'll show you the "big bang"

Answer 2

The branes may be almost infinitely small or almost infinitely large, depending on parametric values assigned to the brane equations. And that is the problem with brane theory, the outcomes depend on assigned values rather than on the results of the equations themselves. And, of course, none of these outcomes is testable at this point in time. So brane theory, an off shoot of super string theory, remains a sort-of philosophy rather than a true theory.

Strings/branes can collide according to the respective models, and the collisions can alter the resulting quanta; so that a mass quantum might be formed out of the collision of two or more energy quanta for example. But that intrinsic change is due only to the change in frequencies of the resulting quanta.

The known universe began as a primordial mass-energy following the big bang. And, according to brane/string theory, that primordial mass-energy existed in higher dimensions than we can now observe. As the neonascent universe cooled, the higher dimensions collapsed to the point where only the three spatial and one temporal dimensions remained observable. Thus, we live in a 4D observable world even though the known universe began with more dimensions.

The reason brane/string theory dwells on extra dimensions is because, to unify gravity with the other three fundamental forces of the universe, the equations require the extra dimensions. In other words, the extra dimensions are used so the equations come out right. One of the reasons, the extradimensional primordial universe was speculated was because of the need to use the extra dimensions in the equations to bring gravity in as a natural result of solving them. That is, if the primoridal universe consisted of one unified force at the big bang, the extra dimensions are needed to accomodate that result.

Answer 3

That is like asking " why ever did the universe originate? "

Such questions that delve very deep into the fundamental properties of our universe, i believe, will never be answered.
Its like peeling the fleshy covering of an onion.You peel off one and you find another, and then another and so forth. You can explain a phenomenon or a particle in the visible universe by invoking the properties of a more basic or fundamental particle or phenomenon. You can explain matter using molecules; and molecules using atoms; atoms using electron, proton and neutrons, they can be explained using still smaller particles like quarks or strings or branes, for that matter... finally everything gets converged on some bizarre quantum fluctuation in vacuum. That might be an adhoc explanation again, bcoz you still havent answered the question of WHY...!
So the chase will continue, and the final answer will always delide us. Its not because we arent equipped enough; its bcoz we arent evolved enough to perceive the true grand stuff of the world we live in.
We can only get passing glimpses of it thru our mathematical models, just as Einstein did a century ago when he visualised space as 4Dimensional Space-Time.

Answer 4

The idea is that these branes are essentially made up of an undefiniable number of strings, which exist at the plank length (1.6e-35 M in length...or basically so small it's hard to imagine ;) ).

At this point in space the quantum vaccuum energy becomes enormous. It is thought that strings were not actually created, but exist because quantum vaccuum energy has always existed (Thermodynamics; energy cannot be created or destroyed).


But really, we're not sure. the numbers tell us what, not why, and not how.

Answer 5

Mass is thought to be a result of interaction of particles with the Higgs field. The whole brane thing is a biproduct of string theory which at present is incomplete, speculative and lacks experimental proof.

Answer 6

Duuuude... on Yahoo? They'll think you meant 'brains.' I've no idea anyway. Maybe four even higher-dimensional branes...eh whatever.

Answer 7

It was the Motskin in the Plotskin.

Scientists are now testing this theory.

Always, Ant.