Extra dimensions
Encyclopedia
Several speculative physical theories have introduced extra dimensions of space for various reasons:
"Extra dimensions" may also refer to:
- Kaluza-Klein theory introduces extra dimensions to explain the fundamental forces other than gravity (originally only electromagnetismElectromagnetismElectromagnetism is one of the four fundamental interactions in nature. The other three are the strong interaction, the weak interaction and gravitation...
). - Large extra dimensions and the Randall–Sundrum modelRandall–Sundrum modelIn physics, Randall–Sundrum models imagine that the real world is a higher-dimensional Universe described by warped geometry...
attempt to explain the weakness of gravity. This is also a feature of brane cosmologyBrane cosmologyBrane cosmology refers to several theories in particle physics and cosmology motivated by, but not exclusively derived from, superstring theory and M-theory.-Brane and bulk:...
. - The extra dimensions in superstring theorySuperstring theorySuperstring theory is an attempt to explain all of the particles and fundamental forces of nature in one theory by modelling them as vibrations of tiny supersymmetric strings...
are required for mathematical consistency and are often assumed to have the shape of a Calabi–Yau manifold.
"Extra dimensions" may also refer to:
- Parallel universe (fiction)Parallel universe (fiction)A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...