How 4D works
To understand how 4D works, we first need to understand what dimensions are. Dimensions are used to describe the size, shape, and position of an object or space. In our everyday experience, we are familiar with three dimensions: length, width, and height (or depth).
The concept of a fourth dimension may be difficult to grasp because it is not something we can directly perceive in our physical world. However, mathematics and theoretical physics provide us with frameworks to understand and explore higher dimensions.
In mathematics, the fourth dimension is often denoted as "W". It is an additional coordinate or direction that is perpendicular to the three familiar dimensions. Just like how we can move left/right, up/down, or forward/backward, the fourth dimension represents another orthogonal direction that is independent of our familiar three-dimensional space.
One way to think about it is to consider time as the fourth dimension. This idea is often referred to as spacetime, where time is incorporated as the fourth dimension alongside the three spatial dimensions. In this framework, events are characterized not only by their position in space but also by their position in time.
To grasp how 4D works, it can be helpful to consider the analogy of a 2D being trying to understand our 3D world. Imagine a flat, two-dimensional creature living on a sheet of paper. It can move forwards/backwards and left/right but cannot perceive or understand the concept of height (the third dimension). However, if you were to lift this creature off the paper and into the air above it, it would suddenly have an expanded view of its world, including the third dimension.
Similarly, as three-dimensional beings, we may have limitations in comprehending the fourth dimension directly. Nevertheless, we can use mathematical models, visualizations, and conceptual frameworks to study and understand aspects of higher-dimensional spaces and their potential implications in physics.
It's worth noting that there are several mathematical models and theories, such as the Kaluza-Klein theory or string theory, which propose more than three spatial dimensions. However, these theories go beyond the scope of a simple explanation and require a deeper understanding of advanced physics and mathematics.
In conclusion, the concept of 4D involves expanding our understanding of space beyond the three dimensions we are familiar with by introducing an additional orthogonal direction. Exploring the fourth dimension is a topic of ongoing scientific research and mathematical inquiry.