Kaluza–Klein theory

This article is about gravitation and electromagnetism. For the mathematical generalization of K theory, see KK-theory.

In physics, Kaluza–Klein theory (KK theory) is an attempt at creating a unified field theory of gravitation and electromagnetism based on the idea of a fifth dimension of space beyond the conventional four-dimensional spacetime of general relativity. According to this proposal, there are three dimensions of space and one of time but with an additional spatial dimension in the shape of a tiny circle. The Kaluza-Klein theory is named after Theodor Kaluza and Oskar Klein. It is not supported by experiments, but is a precursor to supergravity and modern string theory (in eleven-dimensional spacetime).

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