Plotting the Space-Time Continuum: Is it Possible?

[FireAP]

TL;DR Summary

Plotting the space-time continuum graphically

How would one plot the space-time continuum graphically(if it were possible,obviously)?

 

[PeterDonis]

Have you heard of spacetime diagrams?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minkowski_diagram#Minkowski_diagrams_in_special_relativity

 

[Ibix]

In general, you can't. In certain specific cases there are good representations. Peter has already mentioned Minkowski diagrams of flat spacetime. Kruskal diagrams represent the spacetime around non-rotating uncharged black holes. And Penrose diagrams can represent spacetime around more complicated black holes.

All of these have limitations. Notably, they can only represent one space and one time dimension (except the Minkowski diagram, which can be extended to two spatial dimensions). They also use strategies that are highly specific to particular spacetimes, and modifying them to work for others isn't necessarily possible.

 

[FireAP]

Have you heard of spacetime diagrams?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minkowski_diagram#Minkowski_diagrams_in_special_relativity

No, actually.But thanks.

 

[HallsofIvy]

The real problem is that graphs (in books anyway) are on two dimensional paper while space-time is four dimensional! What is often done is to ignore two space dimensions so your graph really represents motion along a straight line.

 

[Klystron]

Summary:: Plotting the space-time continuum graphically

How would one plot the space-time continuum graphically(if it were possible,obviously)?

I find studying and graphing electromagnetic fields theory helps visualize space-time, if only by analogy.

Einstein based much of his 1905 and 1915 papers on Maxwell's equations and related theory. One can measure and manipulate EM fields and derive beautiful plots and graphs subject to similar limitations described in previous posts for space-time graphs.