Is the fabric of space time 2d or 3d

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SUMMARY

Space-time is definitively a four-dimensional construct, despite common visualizations depicting it as two-dimensional. The discussion emphasizes that while we often represent space-time in 2D for simplicity, it fundamentally consists of four dimensions. The concept of "lower than Earth" is clarified, as all radial directions from the Earth's center are equivalent, negating the idea of a lower spatial dimension. Relevant visual aids, such as a YouTube video and an animation, illustrate these principles effectively.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of four-dimensional space-time concepts
  • Familiarity with basic physics principles
  • Knowledge of visual representation techniques in physics
  • Ability to interpret animations and videos related to scientific concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of four-dimensional space-time in general relativity
  • Investigate visual representation techniques for complex scientific concepts
  • Learn about the mathematical foundations of space-time geometry
  • Examine the effects of gravity on space-time as illustrated in animations
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Students of physics, educators in science, and anyone interested in the visualization of complex scientific concepts related to space-time.

6thgrader
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Well when I watch movies I see space time as 2d. But how do we see the space time from Earth to a region lower than earth.
 
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6thgrader said:
Well when I watch movies I see space time as 2d.
Space-time is 4D. But we cannot visualize this, so we usually just show a 2D slice, with the relevant dimensions.

6thgrader said:
But how do we see the space time from Earth to a region lower than earth.
There is no "lower than earth" in space. All radial directions (away from the center) are the same. Space-time along the radial line looks locally like shown here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdC0QN6f3G4

At a larger scale like this:
http://www.adamtoons.de/physics/gravitation.swf
 

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