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nomadreid
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Since spin is a separate variable in a wave function, independent from its location in spacetime, why isn't it considered a dimension beyond the 3+1 of spacetime?
Spin is a fundamental property of elementary particles in quantum mechanics, but it is not considered a dimension in physics. This is because spin does not describe a physical dimension of space or time, but instead represents the intrinsic angular momentum of particles.
While spin is not considered a dimension in physics, it can be used as a mathematical tool in certain theoretical models. For example, spin can be used to describe the properties of particles in supersymmetric theories, but it does not represent a physical dimension.
Spin and spatial dimensions are fundamentally different concepts in physics. Spatial dimensions describe the physical extent of an object in space, while spin represents the intrinsic angular momentum of particles. Additionally, spatial dimensions can be measured in units such as meters, while spin is quantized and can only take specific values.
There is currently no experimental evidence for the existence of a 5th dimension in physics. While some theories, such as string theory, suggest the existence of additional dimensions, they have not been observed or confirmed by experiments.
Some individuals may consider spin to be a 5th dimension due to its mathematical properties and its role in certain theoretical models. However, in the context of physics and our understanding of the universe, spin is not considered a physical dimension.