Extra Dimensions & Forces: Exploring Possibilities

[Chaos' lil bro Order]

Hello, I was interested in learning more about the possibility that there are several dimensions of space that we cannot physically detect. These spatial dimensions are permeable to radiation to different degrees of permeability. So for example, gravity, being the weakest of the 4 forces we observe, permeates these extra several spatial dimensions and therefore we only see a small part of gravity's total force in our familiar 3 spatial dimensions. The EM force, being the strongest of the 4 forces, would not permeate any of these extra several spatial dimensions and that's why we see it as such a powerful force in our familiar 3 spatial dimensions.

I realize this post is very loosely worded but I think the idea I am trying to express (and get help with) is that there may only be 1 force, but for some reason or the other, this 1 force radiates into several as of yet unseen tiny wrapped-up dimensions and that these tiny dimensions 'steal' part of the 1 forces energy. Therefore to us humans, we see 4 forces, where really there is just 1.

This is kind of GUTish I admit.

Does anyone know of any experiments being done, or slated to be done that would be able to fallsify this idea? I vaguely remember that a Washington group of physicists built a type of pendulum that tested whether to see if gravity leaked into a tiny unseen spatial dimension with an upper limit of 1mm (I think). The experiment observed no such leakage.

 

[EL]

I vaguely remember that a Washington group of physicists built a type of pendulum that tested whether to see if gravity leaked into a tiny unseen spatial dimension with an upper limit of 1mm (I think). The experiment observed no such leakage.

It must be Eric Adelberg's group at University of Washington you're thinking of: http://www.npl.washington.edu/eotwash/
Actually he gave an interesting seminar here about those experiments just a couple of months ago.

 

[Chaos' lil bro Order]

Great follow-up post EL, much appreciated. Your instincts were dead on, that's the Washington group I was trying to think of.

 

[EL]

Found this today:
http://www.arxiv.org/abs/hep-ph/0611223

We use data from our recent search for violations of the gravitational inverse-square law to constrain dilaton, radion and chameleon exchange forces as well as arbitrary vector or scalar interactions. We test the interpretation of the PVLAS effect and a conjectured ``fat graviton'' scenario and constrain the $\gamma_5$ couplings of pseuodscalar bosons and arbitrary power-law interactions.

 

[Sariaht]

It is possible that there is more then 4 dimensions, but you should know that if their is, then it would either be visible and roomly or a time switch.
The reason why we do not experience time as spatial is that we move along it in the speed of light, (else particles could not emit photons), a speed that cannot be breached. If there were other dimensions, the only reasonable explenation for it not to be spatial would be that it is but the time vektor direction oscillates, making the other dimensions only very temporary and seemingly invisible.

This is my oppinion, and I hope I may express it.

 

[rtharbaugh1]

Some may laugh at the idea that we are moving at the speed of light, but I, for one, think you are on to something. Consider this: the usual view is that no object can be accelerated to light speed. In the view that it is we who move at light speed, this devolves into the idea that no object can be accelerated faster than itself...a nice tautology.

Then there is time dilation. If light "moves" at light speed, then by time dilation, it does not move at all (so we must be the moving ones). This makes light, or energy, rather, a kind of universal unmoving background...the preferred background relitivists hate.

I have loved these kind of speculative fancies ever since I came upon the science fiction shelf in the upstairs, adult section of my hometown Carnegie library. Sadly, as I have grown old, these mere words are no longer firm enough to support the weight of thought on these subjects. One must try to gain the language of mathematics, not an easy task for an arthritic mind not properly educated in these matters.

Perhaps you, Sariaht, are still young enough to hope to master the necessary mathematics. If I may be so bold, I should like to encourage you to overcome any distaste you may have for the difficulties to be encountered. Math gets easier as you go along. I wish I had learned more of it when my mind was flexible enough to do so.

Best wishes,

R.

It is possible that there is more then 4 dimensions, but you should know that if their is, then it would either be visible and roomly or a time switch.
The reason why we do not experience time as spatial is that we move along it in the speed of light, (else particles could not emit photons), a speed that cannot be breached. If there were other dimensions, the only reasonable explenation for it not to be spatial would be that it is but the time vektor direction oscillates, making the other dimensions only very temporary and seemingly invisible.

This is my oppinion, and I hope I may express it.

 

[Chaos' lil bro Order]

Some may laugh at the idea that we are moving at the speed of light, but I, for one, think you are on to something. Consider this: the usual view is that no object can be accelerated to light speed. In the view that it is we who move at light speed, this devolves into the idea that no object can be accelerated faster than itself...a nice tautology.

Then there is time dilation. If light "moves" at light speed, then by time dilation, it does not move at all (so we must be the moving ones). This makes light, or energy, rather, a kind of universal unmoving background...the preferred background relitivists hate.

I have loved these kind of speculative fancies ever since I came upon the science fiction shelf in the upstairs, adult section of my hometown Carnegie library. Sadly, as I have grown old, these mere words are no longer firm enough to support the weight of thought on these subjects. One must try to gain the language of mathematics, not an easy task for an arthritic mind not properly educated in these matters.

Perhaps you, Sariaht, are still young enough to hope to master the necessary mathematics. If I may be so bold, I should like to encourage you to overcome any distaste you may have for the difficulties to be encountered. Math gets easier as you go along. I wish I had learned more of it when my mind was flexible enough to do so.

Best wishes,

R.

I appreciate your comments, but you should post them in the philosophy forums. Its unappropriated to post personal theories in the physics forums, especially when I started this thread to discuss experiments that are seeking to test for extra dimensions.

@Sarah

If light is standing still, as you say and we are the one's moving at light speed. How would you explain a simple experiment like me shining a flashlight at you 1 mile away? Is it the light that travels towards you, or do you magically move towards the flashlight at light speed? Your idea is very silly and makes no sense at all. I'm not trying to discourage you, we need good ideas from creative people like yourself. Keep chipping away.

 

[Chaos' lil bro Order]

Found this today:
http://www.arxiv.org/abs/hep-ph/0611223

Well done El, I thank you again for a great follow up post.

I'll read the paper soon and post my findings/questions.