Is this an accurate representation?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter leftyguitarjo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Representation
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the representation of dimensions in string theory, particularly in relation to a video that claims to illustrate these dimensions. Participants explore the nature of these dimensions, whether they are space-like or time-like, and how they are depicted in the video.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that string theory involves ten (or more) space dimensions, challenging the video’s portrayal of time as a fourth dimension.
  • Others argue that the video misrepresents string theory by suggesting that higher dimensions relate to time, histories, and universes, which they claim diverges from string theory's description.
  • A participant questions whether the dimensions of string theory are indeed ten space-time dimensions or if they refer to the eleven-dimensional M-theory.
  • It is noted that in standard supersymmetric string theory, all dimensions are spacelike except for one timelike dimension, suggesting a need for clarification on this distinction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the representation of dimensions in string theory, with multiple competing views on how these dimensions should be understood and depicted.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of dimensions in string theory and the implications of the video’s representation. The discussion does not reach a consensus on these points.

leftyguitarjo
Messages
52
Reaction score
0
Physics news on Phys.org
Not at all... the dimensions of string theory (ST) are ten (or so) space[/color] dimensions. The video you point to departs from possible analogies with String Theory when it starts looking at time as the fourth dimension (the analogy is fine up to then, but it would need to make the point that, although time is useful for the explanation, in ST the new dimensions are not extensions of "time").

Then, its depiction of the higher dimensions as all possible histories and all possible universes is an interesting fabrication, but has nothing to do with the ST description of the way nature may work.
 
ahrkron said:
Not at all... the dimensions of string theory (ST) are ten (or so) space[/color] dimensions.

If I'm not mistaken, aren't the dimensions of string theory 10 space-time[/color] dimensions? Unless you're referring to the 11dimensional M-theory.
 
Either way, my point is that the video linked makes it look as if dimensions 4, 5, etc. have to do with time, histories, universes, and such, while ST refers to space-like dimensions (along which, as in regular special relativity, one can have Lorentz boosts that "mix" them with time,... but this is not the central point).
 
In standard supersymmetric string theory all dimensions are spacelike, except for the one timelike dimension. Check out the PBS version of The Elegant Universe for clarification.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Classifying quarks and leptons using LCTs representation
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Graduate Paper Recommendation Request: on Formation of "Bubble" universes
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Graduate Representation theory of supersymmetry
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Graduate "Monstrous Higgs and Leech Spacetime"
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
4K
Graduate Representation in second quantization
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Classical Field Theory - Something isn't clicking
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Graduate Braids as a representation space of SU(5)
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Graduate In what representation do Dirac adjoint spinors lie?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Graduate Questions about representation theory of Lie algebra
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Graduate How Does Gauge Invariance Shape Classical Yang-Mills Theory with Scalar Fields?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K