What exactly are dimensions?

Question

I've heard we live in 3 dimensions but there are more possibly up to 10 different dimensions and I would like to know exactly what that means.
Does it mean three sides to everything or 10 sides to everything?
What does it mean?!!!!!

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimensions

You know length is one of the dimensions.

To define an area we require two lengths. To define a volume we require 3 lengths.
Depending upon the need to describe a thing, we have seen one and the same quantity viz length takes 3 dimensions length, breadth, and height
There are certain figures which require more dimensions than these three.

The position of an object can be represented by one radius vector and three plane angles.
Thus the space can be represented by six dimensions, 3 lengths one radius and three angles. However after finding some relations between these dimensions we can eliminate the dimensions which have some relation between them.

Thus to describe position and then to describe the motion and then to describe the forces, energy etc we may have in general any number of dimensions.

Suppose there are n particles. These n particles require n dimensions. By assigning a number to each particle we will have n dimensions. Then to represent their position if we take the coordinate axes. There will be 3n dimensions.

Hence in general there are no limitations to the number of dimensions.

For example, all the derived quantities can be expressed in term of three fundamental quantities mass length and time.
The current can also be expressed in these basic quantities.
But for calculation purpose and for getting unique equations we have now introduced the current also as one of the base quantity. Including this we have now 4 dimensions.
To avoid complicated mathematics, further dimensions like temperature and angle and solid angle are also taken as dimensions.
Thus dimension is a general term and according to the need we can introduce any number of dimensions.

Answer 2

A 'dimension' is a measurement that can be taken that is 'independent' of any other measurement(s). For example, heght, weight, age, and hair color are 4 independent dimensions.
The ones you've heard about exist in the sub-nuclear world at what is known as the 'Planck Scale' (and there were, last time I heard, about 12 or 13 of 'em ☺). There only effect is through the way they mediate the interactions of matter with other matter.

PS. Time is a dimension we perceive along with length, width, and height. We actually do live in (and perceive) a 4-dimensional world.

HTH

Doug

Answer 3

They are degrees of freedom.

In other words, any particle in the universe can move in any one of three different directions without moving in any of the others. It cannot move in a fourth direction without that being resolvable as a combination of movements in the other three.

To that you need to add time - the particle can move in time without moving in any of the spatial dimensions.

Some quantum theories - as yet unproven - only work if you add other degrees of freedom to these four. The problem for these theories is that these degrees of freedom are NOT observed, and this is a major problem for the theories with no satisfactory resolution at present - ie no one can say what these dimensions mean, except that the maths requires them.

Answer 4

Few deny the existence of time. you would be getting over excited with relativity right here; many think of that ingredient is taken care of precisely the comparable as area in relativity; yet that isn't extremely actual. that's taken care of as a length, sure, yet as is illustrated by ability of the Minkowski metric, there's a diffused distinction between the temporal and spatial dimensions. If time does not exist, then how are you able to describe time dilation? apart from, why does not each and every little thing ensue at as quickly as (or a minimum of quicker than it does)?

Answer 5

A DIMENSION IS AN ANGLE OF SPACE IN WHICH AN EVENT OCCURS. WE ARE ACTUALLY FOUR DIMENSIONAL BEINGS, BEING TIME THE FOURTH DIMENSION. THE OTHER DIMENSIONS MUST BE ON THE QUANTIC THEORIES.

Answer 6

generally there are 3 dimensions-length bredth and depth
mike