Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

String theorists squeeze nine dimensions into three
Science News ^ | Friday, January 13th, 2012 | Devin Powell

Posted on 07/25/2012 3:36:54 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

A simulation of the early universe using string theory may explain why space has three observable spatial dimensions instead of nine.

The leading mathematical explanation of physics goes beyond modern particle theory by positing tiny bits of vibrating string as the fundamental basis of matter and forces. String theory also requires that the universe have six or more spatial dimensions in addition to the ones observed in everyday life. Explaining how those extra dimensions are hidden is a central challenge for string theorists...

In the simulation, the universe starts off as a tiny blob of strings that is symmetric in nine different dimensions. As the strings interact, a random energy fluctuation -- provided by the quantum laws that govern these small scales -- breaks the symmetry. Three dimensions balloon outward, leaving the other six stunted at a billionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a centimeter, far too small to be detected.

Applying string theory to the beginning of the universe in this way has long proven difficult. That's because the math included in traditional versions of the theory can be solved only when strings interact weakly at low temperatures, not in the seething maelstrom that existed moments after the Big Bang.

To tackle the extreme energies of the Big Bang, Nishimura and his team had to recast one version of string theory, called IIB, as grids of equations that could be fed into a supercomputer. Limited by the power of this computer, the researchers could track the interactions of no more than 32 strings for the first split second of history...

To prove the usefulness of the new approach, Nishimura's team will need to study times much later in the universe’s history, comparing their results against real observations of how matter is distributed across the universe.

(Excerpt) Read more at sciencenews.org ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: stringtheory
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last
subtitle: "Simulation suggests extra spatial directions failed to thrive".

1 posted on 07/25/2012 3:37:02 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: AdmSmith; bvw; callisto; ckilmer; dandelion; ganeshpuri89; gobucks; KevinDavis; Las Vegas Dave; ...


· List topics · post a topic · subscribe · Google ·

2 posted on 07/25/2012 3:37:53 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv
Photobucket
3 posted on 07/25/2012 3:46:13 PM PDT by gorush (History repeats itself because human nature is static)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

And all this came about independently and totally by accident.

I wonder Who caused this accident.


4 posted on 07/25/2012 3:50:05 PM PDT by 353FMG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

“Tiny bits of vibrating string” - all tuned to play a B flat.


5 posted on 07/25/2012 3:50:43 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

A while back I read a theory that explains how these other dimensions “hide in plain sight”. By not being physical, as such, but “organizational”, providing a “framework” for the other dimensions, that gives them structural strength, even rigidity.

They can’t be seen, because they are right in front of us, as it were. A simple way of describing this is by looking at a structural triangle. It is a strong organizational pattern, but why? Each of its sides have a given amount of angular strength on their own, but combined, the three are stronger than their individual angular strengths.


6 posted on 07/25/2012 3:54:03 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gorush

I am uncertain as to whether or not that is Heisenberg in the third row.


7 posted on 07/25/2012 3:54:39 PM PDT by Freedumb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: blueunicorn6

C sharp or B flat.


8 posted on 07/25/2012 3:55:09 PM PDT by healy61
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: blueunicorn6

Wait, I thought Higgs boson solved everything. Very confusing.


9 posted on 07/25/2012 3:59:00 PM PDT by heye2monn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

I searched for this line and found it quickly:

> To prove the usefulness of the new approach, Nishimura’s
> team will need to study . . .

Where do I send money for funding their project? So many projects, so little money.


10 posted on 07/25/2012 4:09:14 PM PDT by Jyotishi (Seeking the truth, a fact at a time.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jyotishi
Where do I send money for funding their project? So many projects, so little money.

No need to worry.

Some enterprising young physicist, with an entrepreneurial mind, will come up with a "unifying theory", which will mean, just one project, with a lowered demand for funding.


11 posted on 07/25/2012 4:19:11 PM PDT by adorno
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv
String theorists squeeze nine dimensions into three

It's all part of the New Cruelty.

12 posted on 07/25/2012 4:49:47 PM PDT by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blueunicorn6

Well, since they’re invisible, they’d be more like C flat and F flat, or B sharp and E sharp.


13 posted on 07/25/2012 4:51:47 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: healy61; blueunicorn

Oops.


14 posted on 07/25/2012 4:54:04 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Freedumb

LOL


15 posted on 07/25/2012 4:54:04 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: coloradan

:’D Not many will get that one without resort to Google.


16 posted on 07/25/2012 4:54:33 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: healy61

That’s the same thing my Dad told me just before I got run over by the steam roller.


17 posted on 07/25/2012 4:59:33 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: heye2monn

I don’t know why all these physicists think that the poor Sailor who pipes people on board a ship is supposed to solve everything. For goodness sakes, he plays two notes on a whistle. How can he solve everything?


18 posted on 07/25/2012 5:04:08 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Freedumb

Einstein was a relativity of mine.


19 posted on 07/25/2012 5:06:23 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

You get the impression they’re just stringing us along here??


20 posted on 07/25/2012 5:08:53 PM PDT by mikrofon (Spandex)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson