Using embedding theorems to account for the extreme properties of traversable wormholes

Abstract

Embedding theorems, which have a long history in the general theory of relativity, are used in this paper to account for two of the most troubling aspects of Morris-Thorne wormholes, (1) the origin of exotic matter and the amount needed to sustain a wormhole, and (2) the enormous radial tension that is characteristic of wormholes with moderately-sized throats. Attributing the latter to exotic matter ignores the fact that exotic matter was introduced for a completely different reason and is usually present in only small quantities.