Are Strings the Key to Understanding the Dimensions of Our Universe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the role of strings in understanding the dimensions of the universe, exploring concepts from string theory, dimensionality, and the nature of space and time. Participants engage with theoretical implications and graphical representations of dimensions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that if strings are one-dimensional objects, then the perception of three dimensions arises from their movement and spinning through space.
  • Others clarify that while strings are one-dimensional, they can still interact within three-dimensional space.
  • A viewpoint suggests that string theory requires ten or eleven dimensions, indicating a progression from earlier theories that proposed twenty-three dimensions.
  • One participant describes the first dimension as a straight direction of travel, with diversions creating additional dimensions, while asserting that there are no planes in space.
  • Another participant presents a graphical representation of space-time as a geometrical system woven from threads of space and time, relating this to string theory as a representation of the universe through string resonances.
  • A comment questions the foundational knowledge of some participants, suggesting they may benefit from further reading on geometry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views regarding the nature of dimensions in string theory and the interpretation of dimensionality, with no consensus reached among participants.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on specific interpretations of dimensionality and string theory, which may not be universally accepted. There are also references to foundational knowledge that may affect the understanding of the discussion.

Dook
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If strings are one dimensional objects and they make up every particle that we know of then there is no second or third dimension. There are only one dimensional objects that seem like they are three dimensional objects because they spin as they move through space.
 
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Dook said:
If strings are one dimensional objects and they make up every particle that we know of then there is no second or third dimension. There are only one dimensional objects that seem like they are three dimensional objects because they spin as they move through space.
Uh ... you may want to rethink that.
 
The strings themselves are one dimensional but, as you point out, they can move through 3 dimensional space.
 
Or, you can claim you are using the worldsheet formulation instead of the space-time formulation.
 
10 space dimensions, (so I gather) are needed anyway to describe a string theory, and 11 is better.
that's progress from the first string theories which needed 23 dimensions though.
 
So, basically, the first dimension is any straight direction of travel and a diversion from that direction becomes a second dimension and any diversion from that plane becomes the third dimension.

There are no planes in space.
 
Graphically we represent the space dimensions as 3 planes perpendicular to each other. Time flows through those three, and the space-time is a geometrical system(one can say) which is woven out of 2 threads:
1.That of space
2.That of time
If you want to drag the String theory in this, then it is a way of representing the whole of the universe in the form of "resonances" in the strings.
 
Dook and shihab-kol, how old are you? It seems you are interested in geometry but you had not time yet to read the fundamentals. Depending of the age and level, people in the group could recommend some reading, aiming to formalize your worries.
 
Moderator's note: some problematic posts have been removed
 

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