Why Doesn't Ether Equal Spacetime?

Thread starter Pjpic
Start date Jan 24, 2013
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Ether Spacetime

In summary, ether and spacetime are two distinct concepts in physics. Ether, a hypothesized substance believed to be a medium for light waves, was disproven by the Michelson-Morley experiment. Spacetime, described by Einstein's theory of general relativity, combines space and time into a single continuum. The evidence for this lies in the constant speed of light and the mathematical framework of general relativity. Ether and spacetime cannot coexist as they are incompatible. While some physicists continued to explore the concept of ether after its abandonment, it is no longer a significant part of mainstream physics. There is no modern-day equivalent of ether in physics, as our understanding of light has evolved through theories like quantum field theory and general relativity

Jan 24, 2013

Pjpic

EM radiation seems like a wave traveling through spacetime so, why isn't spacetime the same as ether?

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Jan 24, 2013

Dale

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Because it doesn't have a definable state of motion.

1. Why doesn't ether equal spacetime?

Ether and spacetime are two different concepts in physics. Ether was a hypothesized substance that was believed to permeate all of space and act as the medium through which light waves travel. However, the concept of ether was disproven by the famous Michelson-Morley experiment in the late 19th century. Spacetime, on the other hand, is a concept that combines the dimensions of space and time into a single four-dimensional continuum, as described by Einstein's theory of general relativity. Therefore, ether and spacetime are not equivalent and cannot be equated.

2. What evidence exists to support the idea that ether and spacetime are not equal?

The Michelson-Morley experiment, along with other subsequent experiments, showed that the speed of light is constant and does not require a medium like ether to propagate through. This contradicted the previous belief that light waves needed a medium to travel through, supporting the idea that ether does not exist. Additionally, Einstein's theory of general relativity provides a mathematical framework for understanding the relationship between space and time, further disproving the concept of ether.

3. Can ether and spacetime coexist?

No, ether and spacetime cannot coexist. The concept of ether is incompatible with the theory of general relativity, which has been extensively tested and confirmed through various experiments. In order for ether to exist, it would have to be able to interact with the matter in the universe, which would violate the principles of general relativity. Therefore, ether and spacetime cannot coexist as they are fundamentally different concepts.

4. Was the concept of ether completely abandoned after the Michelson-Morley experiment?

While the idea of ether was largely abandoned by the scientific community after the Michelson-Morley experiment, some physicists continued to explore the concept and develop new theories incorporating ether. However, these theories have not been widely accepted and the concept of ether is no longer a significant part of mainstream physics.

5. Is there a modern-day equivalent of ether in physics?

No, there is no modern-day equivalent of ether in physics. The concept of ether was developed to explain the propagation of light waves, but our understanding of light has evolved and we no longer need a medium like ether to explain its behavior. Theories like quantum field theory and general relativity provide a more comprehensive understanding of the universe without the need for a substance like ether.