Difference between timelike and space like events

[clumps tim]

hi, I need an explanatory difference between timelike and space like events . examples will do, i know the mathematics
regards

 

[ghwellsjr]

First of all, an event by itself is neither timelike or spacelike. You have to have a pair of events and then the spacetime interval between those two events can be timelike or spacelike or null, depending on the specific events.

Recall that an event has four coordinate, one of time and three of space. If the two events in question can be occupied by a single small inertial object with mass, such as a clock, then the spacetime interval is timelike and the period measured by the clock is the interval.

If it is not possible for a massive object to be present at both events, then the question is can a ruler measure the spatial distance between the two event such that the time coordinates for the two events are equal. In this case the spacetime interval is spacelike and the ruler measures the interval.

If neither of the above are true, then the spacetime interval is null, meaning that it isn't either of the above. Sometimes it is called lightlike, meaning that a photon can be present at both events.

It's important to realize that the spacetime interval for any two events is either a space interval or a time interval or it's not an interval.

 

[Simon Bridge]

No such thing - events are points in space-time and so are neither time-like nor space-like.
If you know the maths then you already know the difference between time-like and space-like intervals.
JIC: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=195101

[edit] beaten to it :)

 

[Orodruin]

An event in itself cannot be time- or space-like. This is a property of a pair of events that can have time- or space-like separation. Time-like separated events are within each other's light cones and will always occur at different times in all frames while events with space-like separation are outside of each other's light cones and will be at different spatial points in all frames.

 

[sardar]

Timelike and spacelike events are two different types of events that occur in the fabric of spacetime. These events are defined by their relationship to the speed of light, which is the maximum speed at which any object or information can travel.

A timelike event is one in which the interval between two events is greater than zero and light could potentially reach both events. This means that the events are causally connected, meaning one event can influence the other. An example of a timelike event would be a person dropping a ball from a height and the ball hitting the ground. The interval between the person dropping the ball and the ball hitting the ground is greater than zero and light could potentially travel from the person to the ball.

On the other hand, a spacelike event is one in which the interval between two events is zero or less than zero, and light cannot reach both events. This means that the events are not causally connected and one event cannot influence the other. An example of a spacelike event would be two stars exploding simultaneously in different galaxies. The interval between the two events is zero or less than zero, and light cannot travel from one galaxy to the other to connect the events.

In terms of mathematics, the difference between timelike and spacelike events is represented by the sign of the interval between the events. For timelike events, the interval is positive, while for spacelike events, the interval is negative.

In summary, the main difference between timelike and spacelike events is their causal relationship and the ability of light to travel between the events. Timelike events are causally connected and light could potentially travel between them, while spacelike events are not causally connected and light cannot travel between them.