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PerpStudent
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When one considers (proper time) ΔΤ2 = Δt2 - Δx2 - Δy2 - Δz2, with c = 1, if t is in seconds, are the units of x,y and z necessarily 3x108 meters?
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Yes. The unit of length is 1 light-second which makes c = 1.PerpStudent said:When one considers (proper time) ΔΤ2 = Δt2 - Δx2 - Δy2 - Δz2, with c = 1, if t is in seconds, are the units of x,y and z necessarily 3x108 meters?
In relativity, the most commonly used distance unit is the meter (m). However, other units such as the light-year (ly) or astronomical unit (AU) may also be used for larger distances.
In relativity, the speed of light is used as a fundamental constant because it is the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. This allows for consistent measurements of distance and time in different reference frames.
According to relativity, distance is not absolute and can be affected by the relative motion of an observer. This is accounted for by the concept of length contraction, where an object appears shorter when viewed from a moving reference frame.
In addition to the meter, other distance units such as the light-year (ly) or astronomical unit (AU) may also be used in relativity for larger distances. However, the meter is the most commonly used unit in relativity calculations.
In relativity, distance is not only measured in space but also in time. The concept of spacetime allows for the measurement of distance in terms of both space and time, and how they are affected by the relative motion of observers.