Thread: how to explain higher dimensions to a kid

this is mostly my problem. I cant explain/express myself, good enough to explain higher dimensions to children(12-15 of age).
Flatlanders example? how on earth to do it.
I know its possible but im not the right person to ask when it comes to explaning stuff.
If you know/find any examples pls post.

Any adult who claims to understand higher dimensions is one of three things:
1) a liar
2) self deluded
3) a genius with an IQ in excess of 180

Originally Posted by miomaz

this is mostly my problem. I cant explain/express myself, good enough to explain higher dimensions to children(12-15 of age).
Flatlanders example? how on earth to do it.
I know its possible but im not the right person to ask when it comes to explaning stuff.
If you know/find any examples pls post.

Might I suggest from the content of some of your other posts you take a course in physics, mathematics, English, chemistry and teaching techniques, then it will all become apparent.


For example...

Originally Posted by miomaz

1.defcon (korea and c.o.)

2.
in 40years there will be on (buyable) oli on earth.
When the oil is all pumped into the air we will mostprobaly have no viehcles* and a problem with globalwarming at the same time.
our whole trading structure will collapse, no airplanes no cars*
and if then the Yellow stone errupts, we are doomed.(it even tops defcon)


*An electric car was made with the same energie kosts as oil.
It has even existed on streets.Only the oil company, Bush c.o.
still have to make 150$billion with oil and destroy the electric car (buy them from users and then destroy them). It may be that allot of people will die in the near future because of this

Keep it friendly please.

If you can get a kid to appreciate the difference between 2 and 3 dimensions you're doing well. The 4th dimension is time, beyond that it gets very murky.

I was wondering, is it correct to say a scalar quantity is one-dimensional?

I think Ophiolite has a point in the sense that higher (I assume you mean >3) dimensions are 'understood' only as a mathematical concept, derived from extrapolating the concepts of 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensionality which are still easy to visualize. If you can get your child to understand dimensions <=3 by example of positions in Cartesian coordinates, and provide some understanding of functions (to give a motivation for higher dimensions) you should be on the right track.

I was wondering, is it correct to say a scalar quantity is one-dimensional?

Sounds a little clumsy the way you pose it, but the essence is right. Maybe you can say something like: The values of a scalar real quantity can be expressed as subset of R^1 (a one-dimensional space). But you can't talk to a child like that unless you first establish some other principles.

Oh, now I read your question again, miomaz. I thought you're talking about children. 12-15 year old's are teenagers, and at that age should have covered (or at least touched) the topic in school! you should have no trouble explaining... and all the while I was wondering why you want to torture your 6 year old with such dry topics. :-D

http://www.tenthdimension.com/flash2.php

show them that... it's fun

Originally Posted by Draculogenes

http://www.tenthdimension.com/flash2.php

show them that... it's fun

That was nicely presented stuff.