Hidden dimensions

In the early 20^th-century physicists suggested that our world might house extra dimensions. Recently so-called String Theory, which asserts that there are seven extra dimensions to space, has increased in popularity in part due to its potential to bridge the incompatibility of relativity theory and quantum theory. Critics contend that String Theory is not a theory but mathematical speculation requiring these extra dimensions and that no evidence exists for such hidden dimensions. Now there is such evidence and experiments which could provide additional support are planned.

Traditional physics cannot describe our world

Neutrinos which have no charge and almost no mass are produced in nuclear reactions and when scientists slam subatomic particles together with great force. The standard model of physics cannot explain the prevalence of low energy neutrinos produced in a recent experiment at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory—but extra dimensions can “fix” this dilemma. Indeed, it was predicted two years in advance of these experiments by scientists’ speculation that if neutrinos zipped through extra dimensions such low energy neutrinos would prevail!

Finding the cold facts

At a cost of $15 million, an approved modification to the Fermilab due to be completed by 2011 could add evidence to neutrinos taking shortcuts through extra dimensions. Because neutrinos are nearly massless they can pass through most materials without interacting with them. The “jet stream” of low energy neutrinos passing through a mammoth tank of liquid argon cooled to minus 240 degrees could provide more evidence that these extra dimensions exist.

Healing the rift

Why is any of this relevant to bridging the gap between science and spirituality? Because the big questions: What makes up our world? What or who created the universe? These questions are important to the spiritual and to scientists. But upheaval struck cosmology and physics a decade ago when scientists decided that they needed mysterious dark energy and dark matter to explain the universe’s accelerated expansion. Several physicists support the concept of parallel universes beyond our perceptive capabilities. Now adding to the turmoil is support for extra dimensions.

Bizarre isn’t outlandish enough

For those who chide the religious and spiritual for belief in myth, should find an apt quotation from author Douglas Adams who wrote in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe:

There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

Examine the metaphors

The rift can be healed not by pointing fingers as to who has the most ridiculous beliefs, but rather by seeking commonality in the metaphors. In Healing the Rift, I explain how numerous metaphors of 21^st-century science are consistent with spiritual concepts. I wonder if readers of this post subscribe to any of these scientific speculations–or are too overwhelmed to comment.

Photographer: Chad Baker Getty Royalty Free Image

This entry was posted on Monday, September 8th, 2008 at 6:47 pm and is filed under Cosmology & spirituality, Explaining Life, God & Science, Science & Spirituality. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.