Paper 4 - Dimensions 4

The fourth and so far latest installment in the Dimensions series.


Austin Milan
12/7/2006

The Sixth Dimension and String Theory

In my previous papers I fleshed out the idea of x-dimensional shapes, the fifth dimension, the concept of dimensions, etc. However, here I will expound on the sixth dimension. As I have mentioned before, the sixth dimension’s technical definition is as such: 6D is an infinite set of 5D shapes accumulating in a direction and the opposite of that direction that is different than all previous dimensions. Unpacking this definition will take a little time.

When we examine the step from 1D from 2D, we see that 2D is nothing more than 1D with another direction. That direction is width. 3D is nothing more than 2D extending in another direction, which is depth. Logically, then, we extend this until we determine that 6D is nothing more than 5D extending in another direction from 5D. If 4D is time, then 5D must be the set of all times, or all other universes which are completely separated from each other. Then, the 6th dimension is nothing more than all sets of realities extending in another completely different direction.

So, 4D is time, 5D is reality, and 6D is what I shall call the background. I call it as such because I hypothesize that there is no 7D, based upon the lacking of a precise embodiment of 6D. To make it more clear, to exist in 6D would mean one has the ability to go to any reality into any universe contained therein, and travel to any place and time within that universe. Since you can enter any reality in 6D, it would not make sense to exist in 7D; to be able to go to any background and then reality and so on.

Since now we have a distinct handle on exactly what the sixth dimension could be called, we can analyze an important theory out there today. This is string theory or M-theory, two distinct theories. M-theory is simply the summation or unification of the five different types of string theory, Type I, Type II-A, Type II-B, Heterotic-O, and Heterotic-E. In string theory, the final question of exactly what makes up matter is finally answered. Tiny filaments or strings of matter which vibrate incredibly fast are theorized to make up the smallest constituents of matter, being electrons, photons, quarks, gravitons, and so on. These strings are incredibly tiny, in fact, 10-20 times the length of a proton. The precise length is 1.6 * 10-35 meters.

One might ask how any of this applies. Well, in string theory, there are actually additional spatial dimensions, or different directions that one could travel in besides the x, y, and z axes. The problem is, these dimensions are “curled up” so to speak around space-time, so there is no way to access them. This is where the Planck length, what we were talking about up there, comes in. Each line on the “grid” of space-time is equal to the Planck length. Hence, these extra dimensions are tiny. Very tiny. There are approximately six extra space dimensions, plus time, and in my hypothesis, three more dimensions. This brings us to a grand total of thirteen dimensions to explore.

In M-theory, there is also the complex possibility that we are living within something called a “brane.” I will not attempt to explain this, for I do not completely understand it myself. The details, fortunately, are not important. what is important is that if we live in a brane, these extra dimensions cannot be explored by any means but gravity. Now, this does not seem to make any sense, but based upon M-theory, the electromagnetic forces do not fit the bill, so to speak. Hence, the only force left is gravity. With this exiting thought brings us to an important question. Can we explore the additional dimensions outside of space?

Yes and no. Hypothetically, should we theoretically determine the properties these extra dimensions should have and what influence they should exert upon these space-time dimensions we could probe them. Therein lies the problem, however. No viable theory I am aware of gives a proper explanation of what should happen. I will say that there is a distinct possibility that if these extra dimensions exist, that they could interact with ours, producing unexplainable results. Some mysterious circumstances and sightings could easily be explained in this way, but let’s not get carried away.

The advantage to being able to probe into other dimensions is quite terrifying, to say the least. History enthusiasts would rejoice to be able to peer into times and places years ago, but would that really be possible? The past contains infinite perspectives, hence it would be incredibly difficult to analyze a situation in any given circumstance because of the immensity of the perspectives available. For instance, take the Titanic. One would have to examine the Titanic from hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of angles and distances to really determine what went on that fateful night. Hardly a good way to spend time on doubtlessly expensive equipment.

Conversely, what if we looked into the future? What would happen? Well, undoubtedly, we don’t know. According to quantum mechanics, nothing. We would not be able to predict the motion of subatomic particles on their respective scales or even large molecules en masse. The Uncertainty principle, which states one cannot know both the precise velocity and location of a given object at any given time, forbids it. Why we would see nothing could either be because the future is not “written” according to quantum mechanics, or we would have to hold all perspectives at once, rendering the whole picture null and void.

This whole thing hinges on whether or not we could actually determine if these extra dimensions exist, what they would do to us, and figure out how to experiment with them. If that is possible, we don’t know if even then we would be able to utilize those dimensions to hop through space, time, universes, and whole sets of realities. The next paper I will write will be on what properties a fifth dimension could have, and if we could experiment with them.

In summation, we have looked at what the sixth dimension is and string theory’s affect on this theory. The intriguing possibility of peering into extra-dimensional terrain has been introduced and subsequently cast doubt upon. However, one thing is for certain. Whatever the outcome, it has the potential to destroy us or make us the dominant race of the universe, even all of that which is.



In Christ,
Austin
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