What are the 11 dimensions in string theory?

Imagine a long hose. From a long distance it looks like it has one dimension, length, but as you get nearer and nearer you can then see its cross-section, it has two other dimensions, width and height: three physical dimensions where originally it looked like only one was present. We say then that we live in a 4 dimensions world (including time). What's the relationship with the 11 dimensions? First off they come from a mathematical "necessity" of string theory: it only makes sense if there is a total of 11 dimensions (10 physical and 1 of time). So, we're left with 6 dimensions to "explain": like in the hose example, these are considered so, so small, they they curl up in very, very small "spaces" - much smaller than any atom or electron. That is why, supposedly, we can't see them. Complicated? Yes! The majority of people are not able to imagine anything beyond the 3 physical dimensions because that's all we feel, see and touch. (A few do though...)

There are 10 dimensions in space called spatial dimensions. We can only see 3 of them, up and down, left and right, forward and backward. Imagine we lived in a 2D world on a piece of paper with no concept of up and down, then imagine a pencil pierces through the paper from above. To us it would briefly appear from no where and then disappear. That is what these other 7 spatial dimensions are to us. Time is the 11th dimension.

In string theory, the framework suggests that there are 11 dimensions, which include: 1. Three Spatial Dimensions:Length, width, and height (the familiar three dimensions of everyday life). 2. Time Dimension:The fourth dimension, representing time. 3. Additional Spatial Dimensions: String theory posits extra spatial dimensions beyond the three we experience, typically compactified or curled up so they are not directly observable. In more advanced formulations like M-theory, the dimensions are: 4.Fifth Dimension: A compact dimension that can influence physical properties. 5. Sixth Dimension: Similar to the fifth, often compactified. 6. Seventh Dimension: Another compact dimension that can introduce new physical phenomena. 7. Eighth Dimension:Adds complexity to string interactions. 8. Ninth Dimension: Provides further variety in string theory solutions. 9. Tenth Dimension: Incorporates all possible configurations of strings. 10. Eleventh Dimension: This is the highest dimension, playing a crucial role in M-theory, unifying various string theories. I hope it will helps you😊.

Summing it up. The eleven aspects of string theory provide a structure, for grasping the universe thats way more intricate than what we encounter in our day to day lives. As per this theory the smallest elements in existence these tiny energy strings resonate in all these dimensions. The manner of these resonances determines their particle nature. Be it quarks or electrons. Along, with the forces influencing them such as gravity. In this theory twelve different aspects are, at play. Thats why we delve into them thoroughly.It's like solving a puzzle; without all the pieces in place the image won't come together properly.To encompass all aspects of our world such, as gravity,space and minute particles string theory necessitates having eleven dimensions for it to make sense mathematically.

Four dimensions physically available (3 in space + 1 in time), Six dimensions are hidden dimensions that are tiny spaces and curled. One extra large dimension that may connect all universes or branes in M-theory.

Hi Elliot! String theory can definitely be a bit mind-bending at first, but let me help break it down for you. In string theory, the idea is that the fundamental building blocks of the universe are not particles (like electrons or quarks) but tiny, vibrating strings of energy. These strings can vibrate in different ways, and their vibrations determine the types of particles we observe. Now, to explain why string theory needs 11 dimensions, let's start by reviewing what dimensions are: Dimensions are directions in space in which things can move. In everyday life, we experience three spatial dimensions: Length (x-axis, left-right) Width (y-axis, forward-backward) Height (z-axis, up-down) We also experience a fourth dimension, which is time. So, in the framework of Einstein's general relativity, we live in a 4-dimensional "spacetime." But string theory is more complex. It suggests that the universe has more than just 4 dimensions—there are actually 11 dimensions in some versions of the theory (like M-theory, an extension of string theory). Why 11 dimensions? String theory's extra dimensions arise because the math that describes how strings move and interact only works correctly if there are more than 4 dimensions. For example: In superstring theory (an earlier version), the math works in 10 dimensions: 9 spatial dimensions and 1 time dimension. In M-theory, which unifies different versions of string theory, an extra dimension is added, making a total of 11 dimensions. What are these extra dimensions? The extra dimensions beyond the 3 we experience are thought to be "curled up" or "compactified," meaning they're incredibly small and hidden from our everyday perception. You can think of these extra dimensions like a very tiny, curled-up circle at each point in space. Imagine a garden hose: from a distance, it looks like a one-dimensional line, but up close, you see its round shape. The extra dimensions in string theory are similar—small and "curled up" at every point in space, so we don't notice them. What does this mean? In string theory: The 3 large spatial dimensions (length, width, height) are the ones we're familiar with. The 6 or 7 extra dimensions are small and hidden, but they're crucial because they influence how strings vibrate, which in turn determines the properties of particles in our universe. Time is the 11th dimension (in M-theory). These extra dimensions are what make string theory work mathematically, and they could explain phenomena that current physics struggles with, like how gravity works at very small scales or how quantum mechanics and general relativity can be unified. It’s definitely abstract, but in short: string theory needs 11 dimensions because the math requires it, and most of those dimensions are hidden from our daily experience, wrapped up at tiny scales. Hope that helps clarify things a bit!

In string theory, the concept of 11 dimensions comes from M-theory, which is a unifying framework believed to encompass the five different versions of superstring theory. Here’s a breakdown of the 11 dimensions: 1. Three spatial dimensions (Length, Width, Height) These are the familiar dimensions of space that we experience in our everyday lives: x, y, and z coordinates. 2. One temporal dimension (Time) Time is the fourth dimension in general relativity and string theory. It flows forward and allows for change. 3. Seven additional spatial dimensions These dimensions are compactified, meaning they are curled up into very small spaces, which is why we don’t experience them in our everyday life. They exist at scales so tiny (Planck length, approximately 10^-35meters) that they are beyond our current ability to detect directly.