What kind of evidence do we have for extra dimenisons?

[Akriel]

Despite of my attempts of trying to find the evidence pointing towards the extra dimensions many new theoretical physics theories suggest, i haven't been able to find one. Still many of the theoretical physicists seem to think that this is indeed the case - that we actually live in a universe which has many dimenisons beyond the 4 dimensions we are able to experience.

Basically all i have been able to find is that many theories in theoretical physics need them to work, which isn't very convincing argument to me.

What kind of evidence do we have for them?

 

[Vanadium 50]

There is no experimental evidence. That's why these theories are still hypothetical.

 

[Akriel]

There is no experimental evidence. That's why these theories are still hypothetical.

Is there any clear referrence towards the extra dimensions, or is it all just pure guessing of theoretical physicists, in attempt to create an all explaining model to cosmology?

 

[Vanadium 50]

I have no idea what your message means, nor the reference to cosmology.

 

[Akriel]

I mean, is there any reason at all why we should believe that there are extra dimensions, or are they just a random out of the box-approach by theoretical physicists in attempt to create better explaining models in physics?

 

[rootone]

The models referred to are attempts to describe a 'GUT' -a theory from which both Quantum mechanics and relativity can be reconciled.
These models require extra dimension in order for the math to be internally consistent.
On the other hand there is no available model at present which describes such a unified theory using just the observed dimensions.
I agree that just being mathematically credible isn't sufficient reason to 'believe in' such models.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I mean, is there any reason at all why we should believe that there are extra dimensions, or are they just a random out of the box-approach by theoretical physicists in attempt to create better explaining models in physics?

Those are not different things. Theorists create models to try and better explain observations.

 

[Akriel]

Those are not different things. Theorists create models to try and better explain observations.

What things do you mean?

"Theorists create models to try and better explain observations" ofcourse, and it's good, but the thing I am interrested is on how strong basis is the idea of extra dimensions currently? what is backing up that idea of extra dimensions? many people do believe them, and even call them probable, but still it seems to lack the reason to transform the concept of a dimension from spatial and time dimension with actual physical charateristics into something that seems to be just a number in equations.

 

[ohwilleke]

The sole evidence for extra dimensions is that it is easier to come up with a theory that unifies gravity and the other forces and particles in an aesthetically pleasing way with an 11 dimensional theory than it is with a 4 dimensional theory.