In the sense that physicists refer to when they discuss a 4th, 5th, 6th dimension:
– what does it mean to exist in another dimension?
– what kinds of things would you find in another dimension?
– what would said other dimension be made of?
– how many other dimensions are there?
– would this number differ between planets (could there be more dimensions on Jupiter than Earth, or is there a maximum possible number of dimensions across the universe?)
In: Physics
Answer: It’s important to understand the difference between how physics defines dimensions and how pop culture defines dimensions. A dimension is not a hand wavey “special region of space”. A dimension is defined by how my straight lines can be drawn at 90° angles to each other. We perceive and understand the universe to be 3 dimensional, meaning there are three possible orientations for matter to exist. We call those height, width, and length. But four dimensions has a fourth plane. It is possible for our universe to have more than 3 dimensions and not be able to perceive them. In fact, some interpretations of string theory posit a universe with at least 12 dimensions! Additionally, just because we can not perceive these extra dimensions on a macroscopic level, does not mean that other, subatomic, particles also can not. And if you struggle to visualize or conceive of these extra dimensions, that’s okay! On a fundamental level, it is not possible for the human brain to truly comprehend an object with more than 3 dimensions. It can only truly be understood through math. The universe consists of, and is itself, impossible to comprehend concepts. That just makes it all the more wonderful
The number of dimensions would be consistent across the universe, being a foundational structure in physics. I always want to add that these are all SPATIAL dimensions. Technically, our universe is a 3+1 dimensional universe, with 3 spatial and 1 temporal. There can be many different dimensions of time as well, but unfortunately for us, it does only seem to run in one, uncurved, direction. 1 temporal dimension means only existing in one specific moment. In a 2 temporal dimensional universe, you could experience time from beginning to end, forwards or back. In 3 temporal dimensions, you begin to experience time forward and back, and all of it’s branching possibilities. Fascinating stuff.
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