Relative Time Notation: Observer's POV & Objectivity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of time, specifically whether it is a constant or dependent on the observer's perspective. Participants explore concepts related to relativity, the possibility of objective time measurements, and the implications of different frames of reference.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if time is a constant or merely a function of the observer's perception, using the example of two astronauts near an event horizon to illustrate differing perceptions of time.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on whether the speed of light could be used to derive an "absolute second in time," expressing difficulty in articulating their thoughts formulaically.
  • One participant asserts that the passage of time is dependent on the observer's frame of reference, referencing Einstein's theory of relativity and clock synchronization.
  • Another participant argues against the existence of absolute time, stating that the laws of nature do not favor any reference frame, although the spacetime interval remains invariant for all observers.
  • A participant suggests developing "frames of reference" to describe relative motion, indicating that terms like S and S' can be used to clarify observations from different perspectives.
  • One participant introduces the concept of "proper time" and relates it to the behavior of time within the event horizon of a black hole, suggesting that the radius behaves similarly to time in that context.
  • A later reply emphasizes the importance of fully exploring questions before attempting to answer them, reflecting on the complexity of the inquiry regarding objective measurements of time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of time and its measurement, with no consensus reached on whether objective time exists or how it might be represented.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions involve assumptions about the nature of spacetime and the implications of relativity, which may not be fully resolved within the conversation.

psiclone
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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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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.
 
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 einstein's Relativity. You can synchronize clocks in different frames via Einstein's theory.
 
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.
 
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."
 
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.
 
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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