A way of measuring something such as height, size, width, and depth is referred to as a dimension. In physics, dimensions are the minimum coordinates to specify within which a particular point is confined. The concept of dimensions helps us understand the physical world we experience daily. The first three dimensions are very simple to understand as we live within them but comprehension of the fourth and fifth dimensions may be really complicated.

The first dimension is the line having only length but no width or depth exists. Width is the second dimension that forms a plane consisting of both length and width. The perfect and simplest examples of 2-dimensional objects are drawings made on paper including shapes such as circles, triangles, and squares. The third dimension comprises height which creates volume. Everything in the physical world around us i.e. every object that we can hold, a cube or a sphere has three dimensions. These three are the spatial dimensions while time is the fourth and temporal dimension. Each fraction of time can be imagined as a slice of the 3-dimensional world.

Also Read: What is beyond the edge of the universe?

The concept of the fifth dimension is relatively hard to grasp and goes beyond the perceivable spatial and temporal dimensions. It is a hypothesized dimension representing different possibilities and alternate potential outcomes. This specific topic needs further exploration in modern physics. Large Hadron Collider (LHC) tests the existence of additional higher spatial dimensions by investigating specific signatures in high-energy particle collisions. To date, it has not found any evidence of extra dimensions.

What is the fifth dimension?

The fifth dimension introduces the idea of possible worlds. In simple words, it leads to the concept of parallel universes suggesting that if the initial choices or conditions vary, different versions of reality could exist. Kaluza-Klein theory (also called KK theory) is built around the concept of the fifth dimension beyond the usual three dimensions of space and one dimension of time and is considered an essential precursor to string theory.

It is a classical unified field theory of electromagnetism and gravitation originally presented by Theodor Kaluza. In 1919, he sent his results to Albert Einstein and got them published in 1921. Within their framework, the vacuum not only consists of the three spatial and one temporal dimension but also another microscopic extra spatial dimension in the form of a tiny circle.

Also read: How String theory explains Gravity.

Example: When a fish is swimming in a shallow pond, it might never suspect the existence of a third dimension. This is because its eyes point to the side, and it can only swim left and right or forward and backward. But now suppose it is raining on the pond. Although the third dimension appears impossible to fish, it can see the shadows of the ripples on the surface of the pond clearly. In a similar way, Kaluza Klein theory described the light as ripples traveling on the fifth dimension.

Is time the fourth dimension?

Time is referred to as the fourth dimension. All the events that happen in a sequence are observed through time accordingly.

Does 5D exist?

5D is a theoretical idea that goes beyond space and time. It is challenging to observe whether it exists or not. It is said that time is the fourth dimension, if we suppose it as a line, then we can observe all the possible variations of this timeline. For better understanding, suppose that you are watching a movie where there are many characters and the possible endings of that movie are based on the personal choice of the characters. We can say that the 5th dimension is the space where the possibilities exist.

What is the 5th dimension called?

Unlike the first four dimensions, the 5th dimension is not given a specific name. But it is often called an extra dimension of space.

Is the 5th dimension real?

There has been much research conducted to know whether the 5th dimension is real or not. It is believed that the 5th dimension is a theoretical concept of space and time. There is no clear evidence of its existence yet.

How to understand the 5th dimension?

5th dimension is not easy to understand. It allows the observer to have a glance over all the possible versions of that space. For example, if you are reading a book, the pages of a book are two-dimensional having length and width. The thickness of the book is three-dimensional. Now the fourth dimension is definitely time which is passing as you read on. The fifth dimension includes all the possible versions of the story. It is like stepping out of the book and seeing the alternate versions.

Is the 5th dimension space?

It is often described as space but it is not like the physical space which can be visualized. It is hidden in extremely small scales that make it inaccessible.