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time machine! |
max_wedge
Joined: Aug 29, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Australia
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we need also define "inside" and "outside". Maybe other dimensions are contained "within" this dimension via some quantuum effect (string theory for example), which would allow for nothing to exist outside the universe, but for the universe to still not be all that exists. In this case "outside" as we understand it, because of time and space curvature, may not exist. There may be nothing "outside" the universe, and it may be expanding without anything to expand into (as the universe expands space/time expands with it). In such a case, there is literally nothing outside the universe, in such a case it would be impossible to exit this universe. If we flew through space to the end of the universe we would just end up where we started.
However if we assume there are other dimensions (besides the three dimensions of volume and the fourth dimension of time that we know of) then we may be able to find a way to leave this dimension to enter parallel dimensions. These other dimensions may be infinite in number (like there are infinite numbers of single points along a finite line).
Therefore it's possible that "all that is" (being the universe we know and all parallel dimensions we don't know about), could be both finite, and infinite both at the same time.
In such a case, to go "outside" the universe that we know, we really have to side-step into other dimensions. Another result of this scenario, is that eventually if humans survive long enough, we will have explored all the universe that we know today. Like Columbus discovered, you could not reach the end of the earth and fall off, because the earth is a ball.
We may discover the universe is like the Earth and that we can't leave it without entering a new dimension, just as the two dimensions that early sailor's travelled (north/south and east/west) were not enough for them to leave the earth altogether. To leave the earth we had to travel in 3 dimensions.
If the analogy follows, learning to travel in time (the fourth dimension) may allow us to leave this universe and to discover other worlds that we will never know exist while we attempt to expore the three dimensions of space that we have ready access to.
As for the expansion of the universe, if the universe is infact folding (in three dimensons not two), then more space could be created without the overall size of the universe increasing. Think for example if the surface of the earth expanded without the globe getting any bigger. What would happen is the surface of the earth would fold up with mountain ranges popping up everywhere. The folds increase the surface area of the planet without increasing it's over all size. This may be what is happening with the expansion of the universe, yet another possible explanation for how the universe might expand without it actually expanding into something.
Also, the inhabitants of the universe who live in three dimensions, would not be aware of the folding unless they could travel in the forth dimension. (much like we are unware of the curvature of the planet's surface unless we fly into space ie: travel in the third dimension)
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[ This Message was edited by: max_wedge on 2008-04-26 07:19 ] |
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markztrance
Joined: Nov 18, 2006
Posts: 137
From: Dagupan, Philippines
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can someone explain what is string theory?? |
Cycovision
Joined: Nov 30, 2003
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From: England
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Very basically, string theory is a branch of theoretical physics which attempts to explain the behavior of subatomic particles and physical processes, such as the exact mechanism behind gravity for example.
In string theories (there's more than one!) the universe is made up of "strings" which are moving through space and are under tension, rather like a guitar string. If the tension of the guitar string changes, so does the musical note that it produces.
String theory dictates that particles are like notes, so a particle can be thought of as being "caused" by a string being at a certain tension at any one time.
But that's just the beginning. String theory, unlike some other branches of particle physics, allows for strings to exist in more than the four dimensions that we are familiar with and it uses this idea to try to explain some of the stranger things we see in particle accelerators that cannot be fully explained with 'traditional' quantum mechanics.
It's not an alternative to quantum mechanics, it's more of an extension!
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markztrance
Joined: Nov 18, 2006
Posts: 137
From: Dagupan, Philippines
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in short, string theory can be a great candidate in formulaing the TOE (theory of everything)...? |
Cycovision
Joined: Nov 30, 2003
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From: England
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Yes, I guess it is really. It's certainly looking like being a step in the right direction.
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tapojyoti
Joined: Oct 12, 2007
Posts: 15
From: The world above this one
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http://hubblesite.org/hubble_discoveries/dark_energy/ the link contains a lot of info worth seeing.And dark energy just maybe able to answer the question:The universe is expanding..but into what?
But under some circumstances,(according to Einstein's theory of relativity)as the rate of the expansion of the universe is accelarating(not deaccelarating) we should know that dark matter is gaining position.But..has anyone heard?The phoenix was going to land in mars,but before that,the older satellite Spitzer,which was resting in a corner as sunlight couldn't shine properly to it..but when the time came,it charged itself up and after a lot of digging it has seen water gushing up in sprays..at the north pole.(where it's set to work) ..And now,the scientists are making up some tale (though I had made up the same type of thing and believed it earlier  ) that there were aliens like us at mars..but I need to confirm the news properly.Bye..for now.. |
masseur
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Sydney, London
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getting back to the original topic of this thread I'm not sure whether to be happy of the conclusion in the story below, or be worried that it had to be considered in the first place!
Earth Will Survive After All, Physicists Say
A new particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider scheduled to go into operation this fall outside Geneva, is no threat to the Earth or the universe, according to a new safety review approved Friday by the governing council of the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or Cern, which is building the collider.
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tranced
Joined: Jan 19, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Santo Domingo, wonDeRland
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@masseur: my little brother had told me about it. he read it on another forum and i got a bit worried as well. but i dont think it will be the end as the signs of the apocalypse have not been shown at all.
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gola
Joined: Jul 17, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: South Africa
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Sometimes things aren't always what they seem...
"Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!"
Proverbs 4: 7 |
Bonovox
Joined: Apr 13, 2008
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I just think we are deliberately not meant to know much till we die and we find out everything then. No pun intended but if we were the only beings in the universe that would be an awful waste of bloody space. |
masseur
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
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From: Sydney, London
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Large Hadron Collider To Start Up September 10
also, as we've discussed safety a little... some interesting reads in the links...
Safety of the Large Hadron Collider
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gola
Joined: Jul 17, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: South Africa
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...and the 10th of September might be the end of the earth.
"Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!"
Proverbs 4: 7 |
paul101
Joined: Mar 26, 2007
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not only is this the biggest particle collider ever built... its probuably the biggest anything ever built!!!
so, what are we going to learn from this? (exept its ability to destroy the universe)
I don't wanna sleep
I don't wanna dream
'cause my dreams don't comfort me |
arien617
Joined: Feb 01, 2006
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If they make the inside of my house bigger than the outside, then these scientists have my consent to pat their backs.
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masseur
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
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From: Sydney, London
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j50ZssEojtM
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Posted: 2008-04-26 08:11
jay0726 | 
