Understanding Spacetime

[joshk2718]

I answer many questions thanklessly in IT forums so thank you in advance.

I am trying to understand spacetime. My question is:

Is it right to think of spacetime like whales in an ocean. The way they displace water is the way matter and energy displace spacetime? Or am I thinking in the wrong direction?

thanks :)

[WhoWee]

Can you be a little more descriptive and specific?

[joshk2718]

Can you be a little more descriptive and specific?

I guess one example would be an orbit. Do I think of the earth displacing spacetime to cause the moons orbit?

I guess another would be approaching the speed of light. Is it that space time is being displaced & therefore the object is slowed?

I recognize displaced it not the correct term, but I'm trying to wrap my brain around the concept & it is the best word I have at the moment.

[jtbell]

I recognize displaced it not the correct term, but I'm trying to wrap my brain around the concept & it is the best word I have at the moment.

Maybe you should try to explain your thoughts in other words. I have no idea what you mean by "displacing spacetime."

[Mentz114]

You might find this thread has some bearing on your question

"What is space-time made of ?"
http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=395482