Speed of light and higher dimensions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the behavior of light when considering higher dimensions, particularly in the context of string theory and the implications for its speed. Participants explore whether light's speed changes when transitioning between higher dimensions and three-dimensional space, as well as the nature of light's travel in multi-dimensional frameworks.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether light can be said to travel from higher dimensions to three-dimensional space, suggesting that in theories with compact dimensions, light exists in both simultaneously.
  • There is a proposal that light may have a velocity component in an extra dimension, which could affect its perceived speed in our familiar dimensions.
  • One participant expresses a view that the speed of light is constant in the universe we know, but questions remain about why it must travel at that speed.
  • Another participant suggests that the extra dimensions are smaller than the typical wavelength of particles, implying limitations on movement in those dimensions, drawing an analogy to waveguide modes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether light's speed changes in higher dimensions or how it interacts with those dimensions. Multiple competing views and interpretations remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the implications of higher dimensions on light's speed and the nature of its travel, with some assumptions about the structure of the universe and the behavior of light in multi-dimensional contexts remaining unresolved.

bellatrix gray
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will there be any effect on the speed of light ,when it travels from higher dimensions to three dimensions of space ?
 
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bellatrix gray said:
when it travels from higher dimensions to three dimensions of space ?
What do you mean by this?
 
Orodruin said:
What do you mean by this?
i meant, what is the speed of light at higher compressed string theory dimensions?
 
bellatrix gray said:
will there be any effect on the speed of light ,when it travels from higher dimensions to three dimensions of space ?
bellatrix gray said:
i meant, what is the speed of light at higher compressed string theory dimensions?
It never happens that light travels from higher dimensions to 3D space. In theories with additional compact dimensions, those compact dimensions exist at each point in the non-compact dimensions. So it never leaves the higher dimensions, it is always in both.
 
Last edited:
Dale said:
It never happens that light travels from higher dimensions to 3D space. In theories with additional compact dimensions, those compact dimensions exist at each point in the non-compact dimensions. So it never leaves the higher dimensions, it is always in both.
and will there be any change ,while it is traveling in higher dimensions?
 
bellatrix gray said:
and will there be any change ,while it is traveling in higher dimensions?
Again, it is always traveling in all dimensions.
 
does this mean the universe our universe exists within shares the speed of light?
 
ccgjg said:
does this mean the universe our universe exists within shares the speed of light?
The speed of light is what it is.
In the Universe we know, the speed light can be measured, it is constant.
There s no reason I know of why light must travel at that speed. but it does.
 
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ccgjg said:
does this mean the universe our universe exists within shares the speed of light?

Our universe is not known to exist within another universe, so your question isn't answerable.
 
  • #10
ccgjg said:
does this mean the universe our universe exists within shares the speed of light?
Like gravity?
 
  • #11
Drakkith said:
Our universe is not known to exist within another universe, so your question isn't answerable.
I think he/she means that just like the bread slice example of multiverse which explains why gravity is weak, maybe speed of light is also distributed in the multiverse.
 
  • #12
I think the OP is just wondering if light can have a velocity component in an extra dimension which would make the projection of the velocity in our usual number of dimensions look smaller.
 
  • #13
My (naive) understanding is that the extra dimensions are smaller than the typical wavelength of particles, so there is no room to "move" in those directions. I suppose it should be like moving in a waveguide. Are there different waveguide modes?
 

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