Is this an accurate representation?

[leftyguitarjo]

Is this an accurate representation of the dimensions of string theory?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qU1fixMAObI

 

[ahrkron]

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.

 

[PhysiSmo]

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.

 

[ahrkron]

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).

 

[shalayka]

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.