How can M-Theory explain the existence of more then 4 dimensions? What exactly are these dimensions?

Answer 1

The dimensions are simply mathematical constructs that allow the physicists to come up with the answers they are looking for. Typically, a dimension shows up as a term in an equation.

For example, s^2 = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 is an equation for the length of the diagonal (s) across a box-like shape of sides x, y, and z. Each of those sides is along a dimension, the three spatial dimensions of our known universe. And, for this example, each of the three terms in the equation for s^2 represents the contribution of a dimension to the result.

Similarly, we can write c^2 = x^2 + y^2; where c is the diagonal of a rectangle, which is a two dimensional figure having no thickness. In fact, by means of a math trick called projection, we can collapse the three dimensional box onto a two dimensional plane (like a movie screen) and get the rectangle as a sort of shadow of that box.

Well, it takes eleven dimensions (including time) projected onto our four dimensional world to come up with results that describe the characteristics of strong and weak atomic forces, EM force, and gravity. And that is the major motivator for string/M theory...to integrate gravity into the same set of equations that describe the other three fundamental forces of the universe.

Just like x^2 + y^2 describes the rectangle in 2D but is also a part of x^2 + y^2 + z^2 in 3D, four of the eleven dimensions are x,y,z,t dimensions...the observable ordinary dimensions of space and time. But there are seven more; so that they can be projected onto our 4D world and show results that indicate the graviton and the messenger particles for the other three forces of the universe.

In other words, using eleven dimensions has allowed string/M theory to predict the graviton...the messenger particle that carries the force of gravity like the photon carries light energy. And therefore, by mathematically invoking the extra seven dimensions, string/M theory has in fact integrated gravity in with the other three forces.

Brian Greene [See source.] WAGs that, if they really exist and are more than a math trick, the extra seven or so dimensions (some theories call for even more dimensions) are tightly coiled up dimensions that are so tiny we cannot see or measure them. To use his analogy, it's something like a long piece of string seen from a distance. The string looks one dimensional, but upon closer inspection, we can see the string has circumference "wrapped around" its length. That circumference is something like a coiled extra dimension. It's there and supports the length of the string, but we can't see it. The extra dimensions are there, supporting our 4D world, but we can't see or measure them.

Answer 2

Eyeonthescreen did a good job. From a metaphysical position my experience is that our dimension of reality (not just our perception of it) correlates directly with beliefs about self/world imprinted in the mind/body as the defensive ego's thought sytem. Awareness of this complex system and its control of one's limited experience, allows one to change it and open up different dimensional realities. It appears perfectly normal and happens routinely. We only notice it when we accidentally enter an unconflicted state of consciousness and the change is sudden. People think they witness miracles in intense or altered states of consciousness - but they are only bumping into reality shifts.

Answer 3

It cannot.

Ye the maths requires it for the theory to work.In other words,the theory DEMANDS moer spatial degrees of freedom than can be observed.

This is a major failing of M theory, and could be fatal to its chances of success. It has yet to make a single verifiable prediction, and so has no validity at present.

Answer 4

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