Einstein's Space-Time Continuum: Is Time a 4th Dimension?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of time as a dimension within Einstein's space-time continuum, exploring whether time is fundamentally similar to the three spatial dimensions and the implications of this perspective. Participants engage with both mathematical and physical interpretations of time, as well as its experiential differences from spatial dimensions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that time is another dimension like the spatial dimensions, questioning why our experience of time differs from spatial dimensions.
  • Others argue that while mathematically time can be treated as a dimension, physically it is perceived differently, with implications for our understanding of influence over time versus space.
  • One participant suggests that time is defined by its measurement through clocks, influenced by relative motion and gravity, and that information accumulation occurs in one direction with respect to time.
  • A participant presents a geometric analogy, describing time as generating a four-dimensional universe, where spatial dimensions slide along a line, perceived as the passage of time.
  • Another participant clarifies that while time is a dimension, it differs from spatial dimensions due to the sign difference in the metric for displacements along time versus space.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of time, with no consensus on whether time should be treated as equivalent to spatial dimensions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the physical implications of time as a dimension.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of defining time, with references to philosophical implications and the limitations of current understanding in modern physics. The discussion includes speculative ideas and interpretations that are not universally accepted.

cripkd
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Did Einstein meant by space-time continuous that time is just another dimension, like the other 3?
If so, why are we experiencing this one that differently? (Should this have gone in the phylosophy section?)
 
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First thing I think of is we have no influence over our location in time. It's decided for us by nature. We can influence our locaiton in 3-space.
 
At least Einstein ment that the dimensions of space and the dimension of time where connected and not independent of each other. I find it hard to put them on equal footing, but it´s a good question...
 
Originally posted by cripkd
Did Einstein meant by space-time continuous that time is just another dimension, like the other 3?
If so, why are we experiencing this one that differently? (Should this have gone in the phylosophy section?)

Mathematically? Yes. Physically? No.
 
Ok, then what is time physically ? :)
I know this is an OLD question, and I'm asking it rethoricaly. Could someone point me to some resources on what time is, other than specutlations, at least what modern physics considers it to be , today :)
 
http://www.fortunecity.com/emachines/e11/86/whattime.html 's a nice essay from Lee Smolin (at the end, there is a little bio sketch of Smolin).

Just to add my own (short version of an) answer: we define time as that which is measured by clocks. It's flux depends on relative motion and gravity, and the process by which we accumulate information can only go in one direction with respect to that flux.
 
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You know how when you have a circle and you take a straight line perpendicular on the circle, in it's center, and sliding the circle along the line produces a cilinder?
Well this is how i see time, it generates the 4 - dimensional universe, with the 3 spatial dimension sliding in one direction along the line and perceve this movement as passing of time.
In my vision the universe, if looked upon from outside the 4 dimensional space-time continuous, would look motionless, every object having 'motion trails' that are in fact it's states in time.
 
Originally posted by cripkd
Did Einstein meant by space-time continuous that time is just another dimension, like the other 3?
If so, why are we experiencing this one that differently? (Should this have gone in the phylosophy section?)

You mean continuum? It is "just" another dimension, but a timelike dimension differs from a spacelike dimension in that for displacement along the timelike direction [tex]ds^2[/tex] has an overall sign difference from a dispacement along a spacelike direction. So they are indeed both mathematically and physically different types of dimension.
 

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