what is the fourth dimension?

Question

explain?

Answer 1

Time, although we can only travel 1 direction through that dimension and not at any different rate than everyone else unless you go at relativistic speeds

Answer 2

A dimension is simply a basis for defining something that depends on values along each dimension. For example, in our classical 3D space, we can define where we are (our position) by saying, we're on the 42nd floor = z, down the hallway four doors = y, and inside that fourth door in room six = x. There we are, three dimensions: floor number, hallway doors, and room number. In short hand, we can write that as (42, 4, 6) for the illustrative numbers given.

But what if it's non-working hours? Would you be there? Not unless you're bucking for promotion. So, now you add "Oh, by the way...I'll be there from 9 AM to 3 PM." And you've added a fourth dimension t = 0900 to 1500. Now I know not to bother coming to 42,4,6 unless the clock, which measures the time dimension, reads between 0900 and 1500. That is, to mark the position precisely we'd write (42,4,6,0900-1500).

The fourth dimension just means, one dimension beyond three. In physics, it has become commonplace to equate the fourth D to time. That's because it wasn't until early in the 20th century that physicists recognized that time passage could be altered in much the same way space (the x, y, z) could be altered. So time was added as the fourth dimension only because the spatial three dimensions were already considered in science and engineering.

Although classical physics now uses four dimensions in most everything it does, some advanced, non-classical physics has added even more dimensions to its equations and models. These addional dimensions (e.g., the 10 or 11 dimensional string theories), are impossible to visualize because they exist outside our known four dimensions...if they exist at all. Some physicists disclaim the additional dimensions as simply math tricks having little bearing on the real world physics.

Answer 3

The universe that we live in has only three spatial dimensions. We are limited to length, width, and height, and we can only travel along three perpendicular paths. This page attempts to explain the properties of a hypothetical universe with a spatial fourth dimension. While people generally call time the 4th dimension in the universe we live in, time will be the 5th dimension in my hypothetical universe.

Many fascinating possibilities exist when a spatial fourth dimension is present. Several types of wheels are possible, very complex machines can be built, and many more shapes are possible. Objects can pass by each other more easily, but they are harder to break into multiple pieces. Energy reduces much faster with distance than in the 3rd dimension, so both light and sound are weaker. Much more things can be compacted into a small space, but its much easier to get lost. In this page, I will explore these and many other interesting properties of the fourth dimension

There are three conventional spatial dimensions: length (or depth), width, and height, often expressed as x, y and z. x and y axes appear on a plane Cartesian graph and z is found in functions such as a "z-buffer" in computer graphics, for processing "depth" in imagery. The fourth dimension is often identified with time, and as such is used to explain space-time in Einstein's theories of special relativity and general relativity. When a reference is used to four-dimensional co-ordinates, it is likely that what is referred to is the three spatial dimensions plus a time-line. If four (or more) spatial dimensions are referred to, this should be stated at the outset, to avoid confusion with the more common notion that time is the Einsteinian fourth dimension.

If time is the "fourth dimension", an additional spatial dimension would be referred to as the fifth dimension. The implications of another spatial dimension are now discussed. This would be orthogonal to the other three spatial dimensions. The cardinal directions in the three known dimensions may be referred to as up/down (altitude), north/south (latitude), and east/west (longitude). When speaking of the fourth spatial dimension, an additional pair of terms is needed. Attested terms include ana/kata (sometimes called spissitude or spassitude), vinn/vout (used by Rudy Rucker), and upsilon/delta.

Dr. H

Answer 4

time

Especially in Einstein's Theory of Relativity. When a reference is used to four-dimensional co-ordinates, it is likely that what is referred to is the three spatial dimensions plus a time-line. Basically to explain where something is you need three spacial coordinates. Like an intersection of two streets and a floor number of a building. These give coordinates in the three familiar spacial dimensions. However, to also explain WHEN and WHERE an even occurs you need three spacial coordinates and one time coordinate. E.g. It happened at this place at this time. So time is often thought of as the fourth dimension.

It is interesting to note that whereas we can move in any desired direction in the three spacial dimensions, we can only move in one direction in the time dimension.

Answer 5

Time is the forth dimension. You're moving through time all the time. Time and space (space-time) has a relationship such that the faster you move through space the slower you move through time. If you could go lightspeed time would stop in your frame of reference.

People on the 87th floor of a building travel through time a little slower relative to those on the ground floor. This is because gravity is a little stronger on the ground floor and time is dialated by energy. The difference is not noticeable to us but it can be measured with fancy atomic clocks.

Answer 6

Time

Answer 7

3 Dimension plus a multible of 60.

Answer 8

Time. See:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime

Answer 9

Time.

Answer 10

time;also space and time forever linked together.You can't have one without the other.