2007-01-15 14:54:14 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
3 have been proven without a shadow of a doubt although time is theoretically the fourth dimension.
2007-01-15 15:11:44 · answer #1 · answered by afrprince77 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
As with all things, this depends on your definition of dimension. In our standard vocabulary, there are four dimensions (including time). Some people would argue that there are five, where the fifth is color. (For example, draw a picture on paper, then add color. That color can encode extra information that cannot be contained in the two spatial dimensions.) Some would argue that color is not a dimension, but rather a tool to describe a dimension.
As far as string theory is concerned, those extra dimensions have not yet been found. End of story.
2007-01-15 23:27:53 · answer #2 · answered by woocowgomu 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
How do you "prove" a dimension? Certainly 3 have been verified experimentally. Relativity, both special and general, has a 4th dimension of time. String theory, which is far from proven, deduces there must be 11. Experiments have not shown any more than 4 so far.
2007-01-15 23:16:27 · answer #3 · answered by sofarsogood 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
3 dimensions of size: height, width, depth AND
The 4th is time. Everything we know of exists in these 4 dimensions however, these 4 dimensions put together seem to point to an unseen world of other dimensions! One of the most probable theory's is "String Theory". String Theory shows that an atom can exist outside of the four dimensions mathematically, yet technically it can not be observed because it lies outside the 4 dimensions! String theory originated when trying to bridge the gap between quantum mechanics and experimental observation with Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. String Theory shows that the electrons of an atom have a kind of frequency associated with them. We can see and interact with only those atoms that have electrons that are operating at a given frequency or range of frequency. Theoretically (and mathematically pr oven, but not observed) an atom of gold can exist in more than one dimension. Hints: the streets of Gold in heaven!
2007-01-15 23:21:23 · answer #4 · answered by rod 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What people have a hard time understanding is that there may not be a specific number of dimensions, since different but mathematically equivalent models in physics may have different numbers of dimensions. For example, one string theory uses 10 dimensions, which is equivalent to another that uses 26. This is an example of duality, which are just different ways of looking at the same thing. Since both are "correct", then there cannot be one "correct" number of dimensions.
2007-01-15 23:04:12 · answer #5 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Three; time is a measurement, not a dimension. Other dimensions are imagined and mathmatically demonstrated, but physically impossible in this material world.
2007-01-15 23:03:22 · answer #6 · answered by rumplesnitz 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Three.
The rest have been created as part of physical models of what we observe, but they have not been "proven" to be dimensions in the same sense as the ones we perceive.
2007-01-15 23:04:20 · answer #7 · answered by Edward W 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
4, I would consider time a dimension since we definitely are moving through it, one way, but moving none the less.
2007-01-15 23:44:42 · answer #8 · answered by ZeedoT 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
4, i think, including time
2007-01-15 22:58:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋