We have shown throughout this blog and its companion book “The Reality of the Fourth *Spatial* Dimension” that observations of our environment suggest space is composed of four *spatial* dimensions instead of four dimension space-time.
One of these observations involves the theoretical existence of quantum fluctuations.
Quantum fluctuations are a theoretical construct based on the Uncertainty Principal. It states one cannot know the precise amount of energy contained in a microscopic volume of space. Therefore, over a short enough time intervals the energy levels in an empty volume of space can fluctuate. Some physicist believe these fluctuations can provide enough energy to generate virtual particle antiparticle pairs so long as they annihilate each other within the interval of time specified by the uncertainty principal so there is no net creation of matter.
Even though the existence of quantum fluctuations is based solely on theoretical arguments, it may be beneficial to examine the consequences to our understanding of physical structure of the universe if they do exist.
Presently the only viable theory that defines macroscopic properties of space is based on Einstein’s concept of a space-time manifold.
However, it is difficult to understand how fluctuations in space-time manifold can produce the energy theorists associated with quantum fluctuations.
This is because Einstein defined the rate at which time “moves” in terms of the energy content of a volume and according to his space-time concepts time must always move slower in an environment with a different energy content relative to another.
However, this presents a problem for those who define quantum fluctuations in terms of symmetrical energy distortions in the space-time manifold defined by him.
As mentioned earlier, according to Einstein’s space-time concepts time is dilated or always “moves” slower in volumes that contain a different energy content than the ones from which they are observed. This means the time dilation associated with quantum fluctuations will be cumulative throughout the evolution history of the universe even though the energy associated with them is not. Therefore, because of the random nature of these fluctuations we should observe random time dilations in volumes were they occur relative to others throughout the universe. However, this means we should observe the velocity of light or position of the spectral emission lines to fluctuate randomly to match the random fluctuations associated with a quantum vacuum.
Since the velocity of light is constant in all volumes and we do not observer random fluctuations in spectral emission lines we must conclude that either quantum fluctuations do not occur or the space-time concepts of Relativity are invalid.Â
Additionally according to Einstein’s concepts the high energy density associated with quantum fluctuations means time in volumes were they occur would “move” significantly slower than in the adjacent volumes. This means the time interval specified by the uncertainty principal to assure that no net creation of matter occurs would be different inside of the volume where they occur relative to the adjacent volumes. This sets an upper limit on the magnitude of the energy content of quantum fluctuations because their higher energy density means it would take longer for them to annihilate each other relative to the adjacent volume. Therefore, to satisfy the time requirement of the uncertainty principal of no net creation of matter relative to the adjunct volumes means, that according to Einstein’s concepts there must be an upper limit to the magnitude of their energy which quantum theory does not permit.
Therefore, as mentioned earlier one has to assume that either Einstein’s theories or the concept of quantum fluctuations in invalid.
However, as was done in the article “Defining energy†Nov 26, 2007 defining it in terms of a displacement in a “surface” of a three-dimensional space manifold with respect to a fourth *spatial* dimension would allow one to define quantum fluctuations in terms symmetrical spatial displacement in that manifold and their annihilation in terms of the canceling out of those spatial displacements.
This would eliminate the problem associated with the cumulative effects of time dilatation caused by defining quantum fluctuations in terms of a space-time manifold because the spatial displacements, in a “surface” of a three dimensional space manifold with respect to a fourth *spatial* dimension associated with their energy components are oppositely directed, therefore the time differentials associated with their relativistic properties will cancel out.
Later Jeff
Copyright Jeffrey O’Callaghan 2009