Have we proven higher dimensions exist?
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asked Nov 13, 2014 at 6:45
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1$\begingroup$ What does "exists" mean? Time is a higher dimension in relativity. They certainly exist in the platonic sense. We haven't proven that more than 3 spatial dimensions physically exist though. $\endgroup$– Brandon EnrightCommented Nov 13, 2014 at 6:51
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$\begingroup$ Just to clarify, I know we have four dimensions including one of time. I mean have we proven there are 5 or more. $\endgroup$– George KyriakouCommented Nov 13, 2014 at 6:53
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$\begingroup$ Possible duplicates: physics.stackexchange.com/q/4079/2451 , physics.stackexchange.com/q/10527/2451 and links therein. $\endgroup$– Qmechanic ♦Commented Nov 13, 2014 at 7:37
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1$\begingroup$ We do not prove the existence of anything. $\endgroup$– ACuriousMind ♦Commented Nov 13, 2014 at 12:57
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3 Answers
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To start with in physics we do not prove basic concepts. Theoretical models are mathematical constructs which, together with the postulates of the theory, fit data and predict new behaviors. Physics theories can only be falsified, or validated by experimental results. Not prove, because they are not pure mathematics with QED attached in proving theorems . To be relevant to measurements and observations they depend on postulates, extra axioms that allow the connection of mathematical solutions to measurements and observations.
The current theories which fulfill these conditions use the spacetime four dimensions, and their predictions are continuously validated, and never falsified. This gives the confidence that the model of four dimensional spacetime fits the data.
In research string theories offer many more dimensions than the four ones, but they are still at the research level and no standard model exists. No new predictions to be validated or lead to falsifications have been proposed. If/when research reaches this point and the data validate string predictions then we can talk of the existence of higher dimensions than four in our model of physical reality.
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1$\begingroup$ While trying not to get all epistemological here, I should note that theories of the form "an X exists" can, in fact, be experimentally proven true by directly observing an X. In fact, such existential statements can never be experimentally proven false, since it's always possible that an X exists but we just haven't found it yet. (Of course, technically, we can never be 100% sure that our observations of an X are correct, either, but sometimes the evidence can be fairly overwhelming. For example, I'm pretty sure that computers exist, because I'm typing this comment on one.) $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 13, 2014 at 14:45
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$\begingroup$ @IlmariKaronen True, but these examples are not physics theories. They belong to philosophy or metaphysics. $\endgroup$– anna vCommented Nov 13, 2014 at 15:08
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$\begingroup$ Hmm, I can think of plenty of meaningful and non-trivial physics theories of the form "X exists", where X is, say, any hypothesized object, particle, interaction or state, and these are, in fact, frequently confirmed by observations (to a varying degree, depending on the reliability and unambiguity of the observations). For instance, the existence of atomic nuclei was pretty directly confirmed by the Rutherford gold foil experiment. Going a bit further afield, there are plenty of examples in, say, chemistry or astronomy (which, if not considered physics as such, are at least very close). $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 13, 2014 at 15:39
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$\begingroup$ @IlmariKaronen Physics is about measurements and observations and the theoretical models that describe and predict. Saying something "exists" is either within a model of physics or within a set of obsrvations. Atomic nuclei were a model, the measurement validated it. (rather the opposite, in order to explain hard scattering, the nuclear model became logical). $\endgroup$– anna vCommented Nov 13, 2014 at 15:51
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No.
There are various ways we could prove that extra dimensions exist:
observe Kaluza Klein excitations
observe microscopic black holes
observe deviations from the inverse square law of gravity at very short scales
find proof for string theory
Option 1 would be the most likely option. If there are compact extra dimensions then particle wavefunctions can wrap round them and this would produce a characteristic spectrum that could in principle be observed in accelerators.
Options 2 and 3 would only work if the length scale of the extra dimensions is relatively large. If their length scale is around the Planck scale we'd never be able to build an accelerator powerful enough to make the observations.
Option 4 would be if compelling evidence for string theory was found. Since string theory requires extra dimensions this would be an indirect proof that extra dimensions exist. Finding evidence for supersymmetry would be a good start, but so far no such evidence has emerged.
So far no evidence has emerged for any of the options above.
answered Nov 13, 2014 at 7:28
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I think dimension means the number of independent coordinates required for describing or specifying the position and configuration in space of a dynamical system. As example when we consider the Minkowski's four-dimension world we consider the position coordinate is homogeneous to time coordinate. So an event is represented by $(x,y,z,\tau) $ where $\tau=ict$. And in this space $s^2=x^2+y^2+z^2+{\tau}^2=x^2+y^2+z^2-c^2t^2$., which remain invariant under Lorentz transformation.
As far as you say about the graphical representation of these fore coordinates, we plot the time in imaginary axes.
So, yes. Higher dimension exist.
