Kaluza-Klein unified field theory and apparent four-dimensional spacetime

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the 1920s Kaluza and Klein achieved an elegant unified theory of gravitation and electromagnetism by assuming that spacetime is really 5-dimensional. Their approach has since been extended to even higher dimensions in an effort to provide a geometrical unification of all the fundamental interactions. Any such scheme must answer the obvious objection emphasized by Einstein: Why, then, does spacetime appear to be only 4-dimensional? This paper provides a semihistorical introduction to Kaluza-Klein unification on a level accessible to those with a basic knowledge of general relativity and particle physics, and examines the progress made in answering Einstein's, and related, objections.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)863-872
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal of Physics
Volume53
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1985
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Kaluza-Klein unified field theory and apparent four-dimensional spacetime'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this