Multiple Dimensions?

Question

We know our three existing dimensions are length, width and height... but what would the fourth dimension be? Time?

How can we comprehend other dimensions beyond that?

Answer 1

Anything. If you have a system of equations with n unknowns, you have an n-dimensional problem. There is no physical thing which can have more than three dimensions. It is only on the mathematical realm where you can have more than three dimensions.

Answer 2

String and brane theory predict 10 or 11 dimensions as someone noted earlier. One thought is that the collision of two branes may have resulted in our 4 dimensional space-time breaking out of the higher dimensions and the result was the big bang (birth of our universe).

For what it is worth, there is some thought that the mysterious "dark matter" which keeps spiral galaxies' spiral arms in place may be gravity from another dimension. It is thought that gravity may well act in more than our familiar 4 dimensions of space-time. If this is the case, those galaxies would not be free to move into another dimension, but could be held in place (and together) partly by the force of gravity from another dimension. Interesting, no? Of course, there are many thoughts as to what also may be "dark matter", so gravity from another dimension may well not be the answer - or the whole answer.

In any case, as to your specific question, there are even more questions, but you may wish to check this link:
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20000219/bob1.asp


Best regards,
Jim

Answer 3

Any inquiry into the actual matter of this question would immediately lead the mind beyond of the ranges of scientific knowledge and way of understating our physical world into the domains of philosophical contemplation and into the realms claimed by religion, but there could also be factitiously idealised regions in the fantastical mind, however if so then classed just as such.

Realisations of dimensions beyond four physical dimensions that we are familiar with cannot be made through the use of our senses that we extract for our physical world at the first place, as an attempt to do just that would be like trying to melt copper in a vessel that itself is made of copper … in this regard consider this: nothing can ever be known for which there is nothing greater still in the mind … that is in order to melt copper a pot with a higher melting point would be needed.

If there are dimensions in existence that are beyond physical then we cannot comprehend, or understand, then by merely trying sense them with our present knowledge that might be far inferior to them – there could be super intelligent celestial beings in existence in non-material form, as the concept of heavens and paradise I religious context. Then we can also consider an intriguing thought of the possibility of dimensions physically inferior – like the presence bestial consciousness of animals, or the existence of abysmal hell sown below.

But our situation under both cases remains the same, that we cannot either transcend, or descend the boundaries of what we can know and how far we can expand our mind by the way of learning, information and gaining knowledge. We know only those things that are immediately adjacent to what we have already known. But coming back to an earlier consideration - nothing can ever be known for which there is nothing greater still in the mind – I can say that deep in the mind we know more that we ever realise. The question for instance can be asked – how do we sense at all if there could be dimensions beyond the dimensions four we have?

If there is another dimension in existence then the best proof for it is the very question you have asked. In other words, this is the closest you could get to know if there are any. Why for instance you have asked this question? Where has it come into your mind? It has come, so to speak, form some other dimension. The very questioning like this points to the fact that mind can reach farther than what it can grasp.

Answer 4

Yes, the fourth dimension is time.

There is a theory called string theory which suggests that there could be around ten or eleven dimensions, but there could also possibly be hundreds more.

Answer 5

No doubt there's more. Everything isn't limited by our comprehension.