Many scientists assume the validity of the Theory of Relativity base on how the properties of a universe consisting of four-dimensional space-time can accurately explain and predict time dilation, the contraction, or foreshortening of the length of an object due to a relative velocity and the observations regarding gravitational energy.

But as was pointed out in an earlier article "Defining time" Sept 20, 2007 there are several observations regarding time, which indicate that this may not be a valid assumption.

But even more damaging to the assumption that the universe is composed of four-dimensional space-time is that assuming it is composed of four *spatial* dimensions, would give a broader more logical and consistent interpretation time dilation, length foreshortening, gravitational and kinetic energy.

The General Theory of Relativity postulates gravitational energy is the result of a curvature in four-dimensional space-time manifold. 

However, as will be shown in the article “Gravity” a curvature in four *spatial* dimensions would not only explain and predict the observed properties of gravitational energy but those of kinetic.

For example, there is observed asymmetry in the energy of an orbiting satellite with respect to the gravitational energy of the mass it is orbiting in that its kinetic energy opposes the gravitational energy of that mass.

If one assumes that gravity energy was caused by curvature in a "surface" of a three-dimensional space manifold with respect to a fourth *spatial* dimension then one could define the kinetic energy of an orbiting satellite as symmetrically oppositely directed curvature in a "surface" of a three-dimensional space manifold with respect to a fourth *spatial* dimension.

This cannot be done if one defines space in terms of four-dimensional space-time because time is only observed to move in one direction forward while one can move in two directions up or down in spatial dimension.   Therefore, it could not support the bidirectional movement required to define the spatial asymmetry between gravitational and kinetic energy

Defining the universe in terms of four *spatial* dimensions can not only define a physical reason why asymmetry exists between gravitational and kinetic forces but it also provides an explanation for the casualty of time dilation and the length foreshortening observed in relative velocities and gravitational fields that is consistent with observations of our environment.

This is because three-dimensional beings can only perceive distances in terms of three-spatial dimensions. Therefore, they are only be able to observed the cord of the arc generated by a curvature in a "surface" of a three-dimensional space manifold with respect to a fourth *spatial* dimension.

Therefore, one can define a common mechanism responsible for the foreshortening of the length of an object in relative motion or in a gravitation field in terms of a curvature in a "surface" of a three-dimensional space manifold with respect to a fourth *spatial* dimension.  Since three-dimensional beings can only observe the three-dimensional cord of an arc in four dimensional space caused by gravitational or kinetic energy they view the length of the objects associated with that energy to be shorter because the length of arc it is always shorter that the arc itself.

Time would be dilated with respect to an external reference frame that was in motion or in a gravitational field because length measurements would be greater for an observer in that reference frame than for one who is outside of it.  However, this means an observer outside of that reference frame would measure the time between those events as being dilated with respect to an observer who is inside of it because to him the events would be closer together.  Therefore, time will move slower in a moving or gravitational reference frame. 

This shows one can theoretically define a common mechanism responsible for both the time dilation and foreshortening of the length associated with an object in relative motion or in a gravitation field in terms of a curvature in a "surface" of a three-dimensional space manifold with respect to a fourth *spatial* dimension that is consistent with the theoretically predictions of relativity.

However there are many advantages as will be shown in future articles of “The Imagineers Chronicles” to defining the universe in terms of four *spatial* dimensions instead of four-dimensional space-time including deriving a common mechanism responsible for both wave and the quantum or particle properties of EM radiation and linking them to the relativistic properties of the universe.

So please remember to revisit us to learn more about how a universe made up of only four *spatial* dimensions is more logical and consistent with observations that one made up of four-dimensional space-time.

Later Jeff

The "Shadows" of four spatial dimensions

Copyright 2007 Jeffrey O’Callaghan

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