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Is it possible for the human brain to actually visualize a 4 dimensional object? It is easy to describe a hypercube or hypersphere mathematically. It is possible to imagine or model a 3-D cross-section of a 4-D object. But can you really visualize a fourth space dimension?
Some people claim that since our minds evolved in 3-D space, it is impossible to imagine 4-D space. But others say that with practice our mind can be trained to picture an extra dimension. What is your opinion? Can you picture a 4-D object? If so, how?

2007-01-15 10:43:33 · 10 answers · asked by Jeffrey K 7 in Science & Mathematics Mathematics

10 answers

Take a particular point in three dimensional space and let it travel with a speed , varying speed, for some time. What we get ? We get a locus of the point that moved. If we imagine that this locus is only a point in four dimensional space , time being the fourth dimension, then the imagination is perfectly logical. Just as if a plane section of a three dimentional object is just two dimentional, so the three dimensional intersection of a space-time object is only three dimensional. Even if we cannot construct four straightlines meeting at a point and being at right angles to one another but non-the-less we can have four coordinates orthogonal to each other where a distance element is defined something like ds^2 = dx^ + dy^ + dz^ + di^2t^ .No problem.

Still in another way, let there be a particle moving in two dimensions in a plane. it is a two dimentional phenomenon. now imagine there are two particles in the same plane, moving indepandently of each other. If only we could have an orthogonal four dimensional system of coordinates, we could well have represented the two particles as a single point in it ! This is more easy to understand. Refer mechanics of particles or kinetic theory of heat. A boy of only 16 years surprisingly was in his graduation and got published his paper in the prestigious scientific journal of London, The Nature. You know who ? It was J.Clark Maxwell, propounder of Kinetic Theory Of Heat !

Nice time.

Narayan.

2007-01-23 02:53:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I can't.

It's difficult enough to try and visualize in 3 dimensions how gravity is formed by the deformation of space which surrounds an object - that's why it's always demonstrated with a deformed, 2 dimensional, rubber sheet.

You may have a very valid point in the fact that every thing we experience has evolved in a three dimensional environment. We are, however, slowly learning to think outside of our immediate surroundings (the earth is not flat, for instance, has become a conception that is easy to accept) and as the true workings of the universe become more apparent (such as the equivalency of mass and energy), we have to expand our visual concepts.
Perhaps there are indeed more dimensions - we'll have to wait and see as we become more knowledgeable, I guess.

2007-01-15 10:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0 0

i won't be able to. that's complicated sufficient to objective and visualize in 3 dimensions how gravity is shaped by the deformation of area which surrounds an merchandise - that's why that's often known with a deformed, 2 dimensional, rubber sheet. you would be able to desire to have an rather valid element interior the certainty that each element we experience has developed in a three dimensional ecosystem. we are, even although, slowly studying to think of exterior of our prompt atmosphere (the earth isn't flat, case in point, has exchange right into a concept it is easy to settle for) and since the real workings of the universe exchange into greater obvious (such simply by fact the equivalency of mass and ability), we would desire to escalate our seen thoughts. possibly there are certainly greater dimensions - we are going to would desire to attend and notice as we modify into greater knowledgeable, i think.

2016-10-20 06:18:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Yes. I learned this is the book A Wrinkle in Time. YOu know what a line looks like. Square it. You get a square. Those are the 1st and 2nd deminsions. Square the 2nd. You get a cube... 3rd demenision. So to visualize the 4th, square the cube... you are left with a 36 sided block that can be graphed in 4 seperate cooderinate plains...

2007-01-22 09:19:05 · answer #4 · answered by Whitney 2 · 0 0

I cheated. Visuallizing a motion picture I can visuallize 4-D, but that's it. 5-D or more I don't know how you would train yourself to see it.

Fortunately a few enterprising individuals have thought of ways to explore higher dimensions using our feeble 3-D brains.

2007-01-21 13:29:03 · answer #5 · answered by LGuard332 2 · 1 0

I don't think that that is possible. I am sure that I can't.

2007-01-15 10:50:49 · answer #6 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 0 0

yes, I can see it clearly!

2007-01-15 10:48:04 · answer #7 · answered by annabanana 1 · 0 1

Ya , I can

2007-01-23 10:39:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

i dont think so...

2007-01-22 16:36:51 · answer #9 · answered by kristiane p 2 · 0 0

i can't

2007-01-23 01:23:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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