Scientists at Duke and Rutgers universities have developed a mathematical framework they say will enable astronomers to test a new five-dimensional theory of gravity that competes with Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.
Charles R. Keeton of Rutgers and Arlie O. Petters of Duke base their work on a recent theory called the type II Randall-Sundrum braneworld gravity model. The theory holds that the visible universe is a membrane (hence "braneworld") embedded within a larger universe, much like a strand of filmy seaweed floating in the ocean. The "braneworld universe" has five dimensions -- four spatial dimensions plus time -- compared with the four dimensions -- three spatial, plus time -- laid out in the General Theory of Relativity.
The framework Keeton and Petters developed predicts certain cosmological effects that, if observed, should help scientists validate the braneworld theory. The observations, they said, should be possible with satellites scheduled to launch in the next few years.
If the braneworld theory proves to be true, "this would upset the applecart," Petters said. "It would confirm that there is a fourth dimension to space, which would create a philosophical shift in our understanding of the natural world."
Thursday, May 25, 2006
FINDING THE FIFTH DIMENSION
Wow. The General Theory of Relativity might get the one-up. Read all about Braneworld at Science Daily:
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7 comments:
I highly reccommend Brian Green's book, The Elegant Universe. This is an introduction to string theory, what is is and what it implies/predicts. There are ways to empirically test demensions beyound our familiar three plus one.
It is such alien and abstract thought that it takes a literate reader a couple of times through it to really start grasping it. But it is mathmatically consistant, and it hangs together, so far. We shoukld be able to see evidence from cosmology and the new Cern LHC within the next few years.
Very exciting stuff.
I've been looking at that book for years, always coming close to buying it. Guess I get too distracted by Michael Shermer. Thanks for the recommendation.
What the HEY!?!?!?!
Is this another word for intelligent design?????????
You live then you die. Memories are all I have left of you.
Well, I would not feel so all alone, ....
I guess that's the reason God made I-44.
One of my memorable experiences was hearing physicist Phillip Morrison give a talk. He was talking about our brain's inability to "see" what four dimensional space would look like, but he showed a model of what the shadow of a four dimensional object would look like when projected on our three dimensions. And then you can reconstuct the actual "look" of the object in the same way we can reconstruct the "looks" of a three dimensional object from it's two dimensional shadow.
However, when you get to the seven small space dimensions demanded by strings (M-theory, branes) ... the task becomes too great.
I subscribe to the string bean theory. It's a snap, really.
I subscribe to the string bikini theory. There's not much to it, really.
The three male original members of The 5th Dimension, Billy Davis, Jr., Ron Townson and Lamonte McLemore, grew up together in St. Louis, Missouri. The two original female members, Marilyn McCoo and Florence LaRue, won the Miss Bronze Talent Award contest in back to back years and joined the group as a hobby.
In 1969, Florence LaRue married their manager, Marc Gordon, high above the Century Plaza Hotel in a hot air balloon. That same year Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. married. McCoo and Davis left the group in 1975.
Florence LaRue and Lamonte McLemore never left the group. Ron Townson left for a little while to sing as a solo artist, and to form Ron Townson and Wild Honey, but later returned to the group.
The original members got back together to sing a New Year's Eve concert at Donald Trump's casino in Atlantic City in 1990. The toured as The Original 5th Dimension in 1991 and did occasional reunion concerts through the 90's, but decided toward the end of the decade to call it quits.
Founding member Ron Townson left the 5th Dimension in 1998 for health reasons. He died in his home in Las Vegas on August 2nd, 2001 at age sixty-eight.
Founding member LaMonte McLemore decided in March 2006 to retire. The year before, he had celebrated the group's 40th year in the music business. He continues to photograph the Beauty of the Week in Jet magazine.
The 5th Dimension today (2006) are Florence LaRue, Willie Williams, Michael Mishaw, Valerie Davis and Leonard Tucker.
Or were you referring to the TV show?
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