Extra Dimensions

{Note: This post is #2 in a series of 12 where I review what Scientific American magazine has called the “12 Events That Will Change Everything”. See previous posts “Polar Meltdown” and “False Dichotomy” for more information.}

The Event: Scientists will discover and eventually be able to use other “dimensions”. Presently, we understand reality to exist in 3 physical dimensions – length, width, and depth. There are theories that suggest there may be more dimensions than we have so far been unable to detect, but the testing underway at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) near Geneva may be a first step in discovering these new dimensions.

The Impact: If these new dimensions are discovered, it could lead to a whole new branch of science and completely alter our understanding of reality. One possible use of these other dimensions is being able to move through the universe faster than the speed of light by using one of these dimensions as a short cut (if you are a Star Trek fan – think about the worm hole near Deep Space Nine, or Dr Who’s Tardis flying through time). Or imagine a surgeon being able to work on a tumour lodged deep in a brain without damaging any other tissues – what was once inoperable may become operable. But these applications assume that we could somehow, be able to also exist in those other dimensions and be able to safely transition between our reality and this other reality. (If you are a fan of the TV show “Fringe”, you’ll have some idea of the challenges associated with moving between different realities.)

The Science: One of the reasons that science suspects the existence of these other dimensions is the relative weakness of gravity. There are 4 fundamental forces in the universe – gravity, magnetism, the weak atomic force, and the strong atomic force. Magnetism and the two atomic forces are much stronger than gravity – think how a small magnet on your fridge can keep your shopping list from falling to the floor (the small magnet is overcoming the gravity of the planet earth). Many scientists think the 4 fundamental forces should be relatively equal, and if gravity were to exist in these other dimensions, it might explain why it is weaker than the others. There are other mysteries of the universe that could be explained by other dimensions. Science hopes to get a glimpse of these other dimensions when they smash particles together at the LHC, and answer some questions such as, What triggered the Big Bang? Why does the universe appear to be still expanding rather than shrinking? Where do all those missing socks go?

Jac’s Analysis: While this is one of the more complicated events of the 12, I find it the most interesting. I have no doubt that at least one other dimension exists (you’ll see why in a moment), and this other dimension provides the solution to many of the mysteries of science. But I think it is unlikely that science will be able to definitively detect and prove the existence of this dimension, and therefore make any real use of it. The authors of the Scientific American article about this think there is a 50% chance this discovery might be made, which indicates even scientists have their doubts. The primary reason for this doubt is that we are bound tightly to this universe and what we experience as reality is limited to this universe. Imagine a person who was blind from birth, trying to discover different colours completely on their own. If no one has ever explained the concept of colour to them, they would have no idea what colour is and would be helpless to try to discover what different colours exist. Their reality does not include colour. Likewise, our reality does not include these other dimensions.

But the reason I find this idea interesting, is that as a believer, I have always understood there is another dimension – a reality that is beyond what we can experience right now. We call this other dimension God. Before the universe existed, there was God. God created the universe. He is a part of this universe, but also beyond our universe. He is more powerful than any other thing in the universe, yet none of our scientific instruments can detect Him directly. He is the weak atomic force, the strong atomic force, the force of magnetism, and the force of gravity. He is all the other forces that sustain this universe. When we depart from our earthly bodies, we will join Him in that new reality and no longer be bound to this reality.

Our Reaction? We can keep the concept of worm holes and transporter beams in the realm of science fiction. But we can use the idea of other dimensions to point people towards God. It’s somewhat ironic that scientists are now starting to admit that there is a reality beyond what we can currently experience and understand. In the early 80’s, astronomer Carl Sagan stated “The cosmos is all there is or ever was or ever will be.” As believers, we knew this was completely wrong. Now scientists are starting to agree with us. Maybe there is hope for us to find some common ground.

Questions and comments? I’d like to hear your thoughts about this, or answer any questions you might have about the science of other dimensions. Below are a few questions to think about.

1. Do you find this science a little too theoretical? Can I help you understand it better?
2. Suppose you are talking with a non-believer and you stumble upon some questions about science. Would you feel comfortable talking about this search for other dimensions and how you have always believed that God exists not only in this reality, but in a reality beyond what we can currently understand?

Next week we look at something that is the bread and butter of science fiction books and movies – Extraterrestial Intelligence. Is there life on other planets?

Jac