Relative Time Notation: Observer's POV & Objectivity

In summary: As time is determined by the frame of reference of the observer, it can be difficult to measure 'absolute' time. However, there are various scientific notations to indicate someone's point of view on time. One example is proper time, which is a mathematical notation that indicates a particular frame of reference.
  • #1
psiclone
2
0
Is time believed to be a constant or is it merely a function of the perception of the observer? My understanding is that if Astronaut Poole was just outside of an event horizon and Astonaut Bowman was just inside the event horizon, their repsective perceptions of time would be drastically different.

As such, is there any sort of objective measurement of time?

Further, is there some sort of scientific notation for time that indicates an oberver's viewpoint or some sort of notation for a theoretical "objective" time like a superscipt or subsciprt?
 
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  • #2
C'mon guys, help me out here. Is the speed of light a constant that could be used to derive an "absolute second in time" or something? I don't know how to properly describe what it is I want say in a fomulaic manner.
 
  • #3
Yes, the rate of the passage of time depends on the frame of reference (speed and gravity) of the observer. That's a major component of Einstien's Relativity. You can synchronize clocks in different frames via Einstein's theory.
 
  • #4
The answer is 'no', the laws of nature prefer no refernce frame; notions of absolute time go out the window and simlairly out go notions of absolute space. However spacetime (in it's own way) is absolute, that is to say that the spacetime interval between two events remains the same for all observers whatever their relative velocities.
 
  • #5
Originally posted by psiclone
Furthermore, is there some sort of scientific notation for time that indicates an oberver's viewpoint or some sort of notation for a theoretical "objective" time like a superscipt or subsciprt?
From my experience, you develop "frames of reference" like frames S and S', then refer to what each of them sees with phrases like, "Relative to frame S, S' moves in the +x direction with a velocity of 3/4c."
 
  • #6
Look up "proper time" (τ).

Within the event horizon (in the Schwarzschild metric), the radius becomes temporal (the radius inevitably changes in a consistent sense, just like time), so, your intuition served you well.
 
  • #7
One has to be certain that a question is fully explored in order to answer?



So your statement:As such, is there any sort of objective measurement of time?
.

This is my take on your far reaching question of course!
 
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1. What is relative time notation?

Relative time notation is a way of measuring time in relation to a specific observer's point of view. It takes into account the concept of time dilation, which means that time can appear to pass at different rates for different observers depending on their relative motion.

2. How is relative time notation different from absolute time?

Absolute time is a fixed measure of time that is independent of any observer's point of view. It is based on a standard unit of time, such as seconds or minutes. Relative time notation, on the other hand, takes into account the fact that time can be perceived differently by different observers.

3. How is relative time notation used in scientific research?

In scientific research, relative time notation is used to accurately measure and compare time intervals between events, especially in fields such as astronomy and particle physics. It allows scientists to account for the effects of time dilation and accurately interpret data from different frames of reference.

4. What is the importance of objectivity in relative time notation?

Objectivity is crucial in relative time notation as it ensures that measurements of time are consistent and unbiased. This is especially important when dealing with highly precise measurements, where even small errors can have a significant impact on results. Objectivity also allows for the comparison of time measurements between different observers.

5. How does relative time notation impact our understanding of the universe?

Relative time notation plays a crucial role in our understanding of the universe, particularly in the field of cosmology. It helps us to accurately measure the age of the universe and study the effects of time on the expansion of the universe. It also allows us to make predictions and calculations based on the relative motion of objects in the universe.

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