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A Question About Cosmology and a Theoretical Fifth Dimension

-- | May 22, 2016

Question(s): Dear astronomy / physics student whose job it is to filter through the department in-box, I find when I approach supersymmetry from a macro perspective, there seems to be an equalizing, but inherently non-identifiable component at work, but still remains largely overlooked. From my research of the work in the field, it seems like some very gifted scientists are getting very close to grasping the key, but still more work remains to attain success.

Question 1: The general model of the universe (contemporarily speaking) is comprised of a four dimensional manifold: x,y,z, and t. xyz store information, and t of course is the property of time. How would our understanding of the universe change if there was a fifth component to that manifold, or a 5 manifold / dimension universal model? Where xyz, and t still represent the same properties in the aforementioned, but the fifth component’s property is to repel all information while being devoid of any properties. Would this then serve as a theoretical reference point for, or balance to information and tangible dimensional properties – by defining and establishing the lack thereof.

To help frame the concept, I give you the following example abstraction:

If you think about the concept of “one”, it exists only because it is complementary and set apart from “zero “or “none”. “One” cannot exist if there was not a means to provide distinction, and therefore purpose. “Zero” or “none” in this context is to repel / reject any ascribed property or value, thus it can leverage the existence of “one”. The symmetrical value of “one” is “-one” and so on. “One” can be incremented in a positive or negative direction, and be proportioned. However, the model is only stable because of “zero”.

Question 2: Applying the construct of a 5th dimension to the physics of a black hole: Could we assume that the 5th dimensional properties serve to precipitate “dark energy” into the universe as function of concentrated matter / information introduced to the black hole? Not necessarily depositing the dark energy somewhere else, but everywhere at once. Or at least everywhere there are lower space-time densities (voids is supercluster webbing, as well as fundamental particle isolation mechanisms). Could a proportion be drawn between the rate of expansion Vs. the aggregate rate and quantity of information introduced to black holes everywhere?

— Rob

Answer(s): In answer to your questions, there has been some theoretical research into the properties of a hypothetical fifth dimension on our view of the cosmology of the universe. See a research paper by Bahrehbakhsh, Farhoudi, and Vakili for details. The scenario that they derive for the effects of a fifth cosmological dimension are not quite those you surmise, but they are similar. In particular, this research article investigates the predictions of such a cosmology with a fifth dimension on our measurements of dark energy in the universe.

Jeff Mangum

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