Introduction / justification for the Tri-Space Theory

At school, we learn how to apply physical laws to mechanics and heat flow (thermodynamics). Later come the Planck quantisation law and classical quantum mechanics, which provide an amazingly successful description of atoms and the solid state. But why can such laws not also be applied to liquids or heat flow?

Newtonian plus relativistic dynamics, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics all provide physically valid mathematical laws, but no two are logically or mathematically compatible with one another. Why is this?

Both relativity and quantum mechanics are fully time-reversible. So what is time and how does that work? The physical dimensions are linked by relativity, but time elapses only where there is matter and relativity cannot describe matter. Quantum mechanics cannot describe any actual measurement: it is limited to describing bound states and transition rates within matter.

Quantisation is also weird. How and why does it occur in nature when, for example, the classical description of periodic motion is quite perfect and not quantised? The same applies to electromagnetic waves. Also, what determines the diversity and properties of the elementary particles, only some of which form the atoms of matter?

The multi-metric theory of space, time and matter which is presented here (the 'Tri-Space Theory') provides a logically complete explanation for all of the phenomena identified above and many more, whilst being mathematically compatible with classical and quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, at the fundamental level. The only concept we have to abandon is that material length and empty space are the same physical dimensions: the simple, Minkowski metric idea of relativity is flawed.

Instead, we have two, signed, complementary metric spaces (on an 8-dimensional manifold), which must connect to and drive periodic oscillations in other, unseen spaces. These 'Modal Spaces', together with a very few fundamental force laws, must generate all of the elementary particles and observable forces in nature. This encapsulates the Tri-space philosophy, which is expressed mathematically by the `Generic Equation of Connection' described on Home page 2.

Intended audience

Interested students / scientists with good high school maths and physical science knowledge should benefit. Detailed description pages contain some more advanced maths, but nothing beyond first degree level. The maths content has been minimised, to serve a wider audience, but worked mathematical material is available on request.

A basic understanding of relativity and quantum mechanics is desirable, in particular to appreciate how these earlier theories are derived from the multi-metric theory, and what it adds to them. For example, the ephemeral concept of a `wave function' becomes part of the foundation of physical reality, in Tri-space.

Physics is fun, provided we can keep the maths simple!

Robert Herrod
Örkelljunga, Sweden, July 2026