Warped Passages: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe’s Hidden Dimensions

Abstract

1st ed. Discusses dimensions of space, early twentieth-century advances, the physics of elementary particles, string theory and branes, and proposals for extra-dimension universes. I. Dimensions of space (and thought). Introduction ; Entryway passages : demystifying dimensions ; Restricted passages : rolled-up extra dimensions ; Exclusive passages : branes, braneworlds, and the bulk ; Approaches to theoretical physics -- II. Early twentieth-century advances. Relativity : the evolution of Einstein's gravity ; Quantum mechanics : principled uncertainty, the principal uncertainties, and the uncertainty principle -- III. The physics of elementary particles. The standard model of particle physics : matter's most basic known structure ; Experimental interlude : verifying the standard model ; Symmetry : the essential organizing principle ; The origin of elementary particle masses : spontaneous symmetry breaking and the Higgs mechanism ; Scaling and grand unification : relating interactions at different lengths and energies ; The hierarchy problem : the only effective trickle-down theory ; Supersymmetry : a leap beyond the standard model -- IV. String theory and branes. Allegro (ma non troppo) passage for strings ; Supporting passages : brane development ; Bustling passages : braneworlds -- V. Proposals for extra-dimensional universes. Sparsely populated passages : multiverses and sequestering ; Leaky passages : fingerprints of extra dimensions ; Voluminous passages : large extra dimensions ; Warped passage : a solution to the hierarchy problem ; The warped annotated "Alice" ; Profound passage : an infinite extra dimension ; A reflective and expansive passage -- VI. Closing thoughts. Extra dimensions : are you in or out? ; (In)conclusion -- Glossary -- Math notes.