Electromagnetism=gravity in higher dimensions

[kashiark]

I recently read an article(http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327231.900-beyond-space-and-time-5d--into-the-unseen.html) that said that gravity in the fifth dimension could be electromagnetism, but wasn't his math flawed? I seem to recall there being something wrong with this idea.

 

[javierR]

You're referring to the idea that electromagnetism follows from 5D general relativity when the 5th dimension is compact? Although you would get a four-dimensional gauge field like a photon from this situation, the original scenario is indeed flawed (I wouldn't say the "math was flawed"); but the general idea of having extra dimensions is still plausible. In the end, such models must account for, among other things, the other Standard Model interactions, the discrepancy in coupling strengths of the forces and where/how matter comes into play.

 

[Entropia]

While the concept of electromagnetism being equivalent to gravity in higher dimensions is an intriguing idea, it is important to note that this is still a theoretical concept and has not been proven or accepted by the scientific community. The article you mentioned discusses the possibility of a fifth dimension and how gravity could be explained in this dimension through the use of electromagnetism. However, as you mentioned, there are some flaws in the mathematical equations proposed by the author.

Additionally, there are many other theories and explanations for gravity, such as Einstein's theory of general relativity, which have been extensively tested and have strong evidence supporting them. Until there is solid evidence and a consensus among the scientific community, we cannot definitively say that electromagnetism is equivalent to gravity in higher dimensions.

It is important to approach these types of theories with a critical and open-minded perspective, but also to recognize the limitations and potential flaws in them. Further research and experimentation will be needed to fully understand the nature of gravity and its relationship to electromagnetism in higher dimensions.