How Does Kaluza-Klein Theory Impact Our Understanding of the Universe?

  • Thread starter Ken S. Tucker
  • Start date
In summary, the conversation discusses the use of Kaluza-Klein theory in classical mechanics and the equations for the motion of a charged particle in an electromagnetic field. There are discrepancies in the calculations, including a factor of charge/mass instead of Plank mass, which may be due to using a simple L(5) instead of a more complex geometric L. There is also mention of 5D quantum field theory and the use of A_5 = 1 to simplify calculations. The background of the person summarizing the conversation is also provided, as they are new to the forum and have been studying QM, CM, and 5D as a hobby.
  • #1
Ken S. Tucker
[SOLVED] Re: Kaluza-Klein help needed

To John et al...
I agree with everyone else who posted.
For a few comments, I'll ref to P.G. Bergmann's
"Intro to...Relativity", he details KK's 5D stuff.

John Baez wrote:
> For a course on a classical mechanics I decided to have my
> students work out the geodesics on a 5-dimensional manifold
> M x U(1) with the metric h given by


:-)

> h_{ij} = g_{ij}
> h_{i5} = A_i
> h_{55} = 1


See ref, Eq.(17.61). John's statement looks accurate summed
over 4D.

> where i,j = 1,2,3,4, g is a metric on M and A is a 1-form
> on M describing the electromagnetic vector potential.
>
> I was hoping to get the equation for the motion of
> a charged particle in a electromagnetic field, namely
>
> m (D^2q/Dt^2)^i = e F^i_j (dq/dt)^j


Yes, see Eq.(12.57).
The last term on the LHS, can also be zero and
yield information, that corresponds to John's
RHS above. If john's LHS above vanishes then it
is a constraint on motion.

> where:
>
> dq/dt is the derivative of the path q(t),
>
> D^2q/Dt^2 is its covariant 2nd derivative,
>
> F_{ij} = d_i A_j - d_j A_i is the electromagnetic field,


> m is the particle's mass


Stop, same ref, see (6.14..19). A particles mass has
3 possible components, covariant energy-momentum "p_0",
invariant "p", and contravariant "p^0".
(Mixing g-fields with EM-fields, IMO does requires
care to define the meaning of mass).
Presuming John mean's a conserved "p" as defined
by (6.19), let's good ahead.

> e is its charge.
>
> And indeed, I get this assuming that the particle moves
> around the circle U(1) at velocity e/m:
>
> (dq/dt)^5 = e/m


Above John pointed out h_{55}=1, that's a constant!
How can variables exist in the direction of the 5th
dimension if it's metric is constant?
There cannot be a basis for acceleration in the
direction of 5th dimension, i.e.

(dq/dt)^5 = 0 , (Tucker suggests)

IMO, that's a constraint in 5D. Look at it physically,
if you have charges going off into the 5th dimension
won't that rather make the other 4 lonely?

> HOWEVER, I don't find that the velocity of the particle around
> the circle is constant!
>
> (dq/dt)^5 seems to have nonzero derivative, which is annoying:
> the particle's effective charge-to-mass ratio changes with time!


I think if John employs the quantum theory, (meaning energy changes
discontinuously, applied to the "m", then the classical
type predictions, made on the basis of Maxwell, of particles,
like electrons spiralling into the nucleus will not happen.

It looks like dm =0 but is not a constant.

> Am I making a mistake or what?


Well, by experiment we have found, "power" is
not continuously radiated, hence a spirally orbiting
electron descending into a nucleus obeys the vector
dot product,

q*E.V = 0

(q=charge, E=E-field, V-Velocity),

IOW's it can't spiral. Otherwise a spiral type orbit
would have

q*E.V =/=0,

as the charge sinks into the nucleus, continuously
radianting power, that is classically predicted but
physically not apparent and gave birth to Quantum T.

In the case of the Lorentz force John introduce above,
the component,

f_0 = q*F_i0 U^i == q*E.V =0.

I think that means there is no force in the direction of
time.

> It's all the more annoying because the spacetime M x U(1) has
> rotational symmetry in the U(1) coordinate, so by Noether's theorem,
> the momentum in the 5 direction is conserved.
>
> However, the velocity in the 5 direction appears not to be
> conserved, basically because we obtain the velocity from the
> momentum by raising an index:
>
> (dq/dt)^5 = h^{5a} (dq/dt)_5
>
> and h^{5a} is time-dependent.
>
> I wish I were making some mistake here - am I?


Don't know, but IMHO, one should give due consideration
to the quantization of energy exchange. AE's GR gives
a good foundation for that following his GR1916 Eq.(65a),
where he suggests the Lorentz force vanishes. I provided
one sample "f_0=0" above, but many disagree.
If you ref to Dover's PoR GR1916, pg 156, and read past
Eq.(66) you'll see, "if kappa_sigma vanishes", (that's
Lorentz force in Eq(65)), and find that's how EM-forces
are included into the T_uv side of G_uv=T_uv, and I think
ok with quantum theory.

Regards
Ken S. Tucker
 
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  • #2
Using the wrong g(5) would only introduce 'error' like A_a A^a = (V/m)^2 =.01%. So why the 'error' like 10^10% by getting Plank mass instead of electron mass?

I think the 'error' was more due to using 'wrong' simple L(5) rather than wrong g(5). To get the Plank mass out to the 'KK-miracle' need a geometric L with R curvatrure etc. => Brans-Dicke gravity etc. as you would expect from a grand geom theory.

But keep it simple - go for the simple L(5) & g(5) and we get
1. x^..M = - Gamma5^M_BC x^.B x^.C
= - Gamma4^m_bc x^.b x^.c + F^m_c x^.c
via another sort of '5d miracle'.
But this one introduces a factor of charge/mass (of electron) and not Plank mass (what I referred to as the 10^10% 'error'.

2. for simple QM using corresponding g(5)^BC
L(5density) = 0.5 (d_B psi)* g(5)^BC (d_C psi)
= 0.5 (D_b psi)* g(4)^bc (D_c psi) + 0.5 mm (psi* psi) = KG equation.
again we get the charge/matter for electron, not Plank mass.

3. By the way, within the omitted definitions & calculations, A_5 ==1 is used to simplify
x^.B g(5)_BC x^.C = x^.b g(4)_bc x^.c + x^.B A_B A_C x^.C
But always A = A(4) ensures g(5)^BC g(5)_CD = KronDelta^B_D
leads to:
x^.B A_C = 1 => x^.5 = (1 - A_c x^.c) approx= 1
So x^5 approx= tau >>>>>>>>>>>> the x^5 associated with Plank mass.

4. Back in 1978 Franchi and in 1984 Kubo developed 5d QFT using s = x^5
id_s <=> m of electron etc.


5. My background: I am new to PF, spotted this question months ago, saved it in bookmarks till I had time to follow it up. I don't know if there is any more correspondence or whether this is going down a black hole. I have been struggling with path integral representation, QFT etc. So have been dabbeling in QM, CM, 5d as a pre-retirement hobby. Apologies for omitting the working, but it is such hard work producing the symbols - especially if this is not going anywhere.
Does this clarify anything, or am I on the wrong track? Thanks.
 
  • #3


Dear John and Ken,

Thank you both for your detailed responses and insights. I will definitely take a look at the references you provided and continue to work on understanding the Kaluza-Klein theory. It's amazing to see how this idea of a fifth dimension can have such a significant impact on our understanding of the universe.

Thanks again for your help.

 

Related to How Does Kaluza-Klein Theory Impact Our Understanding of the Universe?

1. What is the Kaluza-Klein theory?

The Kaluza-Klein theory is a mathematical model that attempts to unify the forces of gravity and electromagnetism in a higher-dimensional space. It was first proposed by physicist Theodor Kaluza and mathematician Oskar Klein in the early 20th century.

2. What is the significance of the Kaluza-Klein theory?

If successful, the Kaluza-Klein theory would provide a more elegant and simplified explanation for the fundamental forces of nature. It would also offer a framework for understanding the relationship between gravity and electromagnetism, which are currently described by separate theories in physics.

3. How does the Kaluza-Klein theory work?

The theory posits that the universe has more than the three spatial dimensions (length, width, and height) that we are familiar with. It suggests that there may be additional "hidden" dimensions that are too small for us to perceive, but play a crucial role in the behavior of fundamental forces.

4. What is the status of the Kaluza-Klein theory in modern physics?

The Kaluza-Klein theory is still a topic of research in theoretical physics. While it has not been proven, many scientists continue to explore its potential and make connections to other theories, such as string theory and supersymmetry.

5. What are some challenges facing the Kaluza-Klein theory?

One of the main challenges facing the Kaluza-Klein theory is the lack of experimental evidence to support it. The theory also raises questions about how to reconcile it with other well-established theories, such as quantum mechanics. Additionally, it requires the existence of extra dimensions, which have not yet been observed or confirmed.

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