0th dimension and other dimensions

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the concept of dimensions beyond the familiar three, specifically addressing the existence and implications of extra dimensions, including the so-called "0th dimension." Participants clarify that extra dimensions are independent directions and do not overlap with the three dimensions of space we experience daily. The conversation critiques the representation of dimensions on the PBS website, asserting that it is misleading due to its implication of overlapping spheres. The discussion concludes that the existence of these dimensions is primarily a mathematical construct, subject to potential disproof through calculations.

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no gun
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hi :D
after reading up on 10 dimensions (and how more can be added any time we need them even though they might not exist) i found it interesting how it stated that 5-10 dimensions where located in the well known 3 dimensions we see every day (with the 4th dimension being time).

what i don't understand is that if these are spheres and they overlap so no gap is left between them (if a gap is left that means that these dimensions won't exist everywhere in which case maths which has built up around them will fail) then that means these spheres must overlap with our own 3 dimensions. If they overlap with our 3 dimensions wouldn't that just mean that they are our 3 dimensions and no more.

let me reword it incase it got a little confusing
we know our 3 dimensions quite well... inside our dimensions are other dimensions (spheres if u will which are made up of another 3 or so dimensions). let's say these spheres don't touch each other. does this mean that there are places where only 3 dimensions exist (not taking time into account)?

also how is there a 0th dimension?

thanks
 
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Extra dimensions wouldn't be located "in the well known 3 dimensions we see every day". An extra dimension is by definition a direction that is independent of the others. So there wouldn't be any overlapping spheres.

If you call an extra dimension "0th" or "5th" or even "Dave", is up to you. It just a convention.
 
no gun said:
so that means the site
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/dimensions.html
is misleading

and there's no way to prove these dimensions other than maths rite? so eventually they can be disproven with enough calculations


Why would this site be misleading ?

To us spacetime looks like a continuum. it is only when you probe to much smaller distance-scales that the "granular" structure of space time would become manifest. I am referring to quantized space time here but this also goes for these extra dimensions...

regards
marlon
 

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