What is the current understanding of time in modern physics?

[SanguineHorizon]

Can someone please explain to me the current theories of Time? I have an idea I want to put forward to you all, but need to get a little groundwork in first. Based purely on what I learned in school, time is currently veiwed as linear, if so, how is this even possible? Much appreciated, thanks.

 

[Antonio Lao]

The modern concept of linear time is probably the most popular one. It is practically being used in the formulation of a physical theory. But theories of relativity (special and general) both combined time with space to form spacetime. And in string theories, spacetime's dimension were increased only for the space part while the time dimension remains linear.

If time is linear, the logical thing is for it to have two directions. But according to the theory of thermodynamics, only one arrow of time is found, this is the direction of increasing entropy. The other arrows of time are implied in: electromagnetic radiation always emanates outward from a source never inward; the cosmological expansion of space (spacetime?); and, in psychology, we remember the past but not the future.

 

[The Bob]

The modern concept of linear time is probably the most popular one. It is practically being used in the formulation of a physical theory. But theories of relativity (special and general) both combined time with space to form spacetime. And in string theories, spacetime's dimension were increased only for the space part while the time dimension remains linear.

If time is linear, the logical thing is for it to have two directions. But according to the theory of thermodynamics, only one arrow of time is found, this is the direction of increasing entropy. The other arrows of time are implied in: electromagnetic radiation always emanates outward from a source never inward; the cosmological expansion of space (spacetime?); and, in psychology, we remember the past but not the future.

Time as a linear measurement? Intresting. I assume this is correct but (unless I am wrong) time must not only have direction but velocity. By that I mean it must travel in the direction of 3-D shapes and it must have its own factors. Although we have put a measurement on time it is still independed to everything else (I mean to say it works wih space independently).

Might be the greatest load of rubbish you have every heard but here it is anyway.

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[Antonio Lao]

...time must not only have direction but velocity...

Time has a velocity component only in spacetime. While spacetime is the fabric of the cosmos; it is the background to everything else: space (stand alone), matter, and energy.

 

[The Bob]

...the fabric of the cosmos...

Therefore this means that time could be independent, like space can be, and so we have put a measurement on it and really it could change and we would be none the wiser.

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[Antonio Lao]

...time could be independent...

Spacetime is independent of time iff spacetime is static. But spacetime is dynamic then the metric of spacetime will depend on the local motion of space and time.

 

[The Bob]

Spacetime is independent of time iff spacetime is static. But spacetime is dynamic then the metric of spacetime will depend on the local motion of space and time.

What I am asking is is it possible for Time to 'fold' like space? If so is it not, therefore, independent to everythin (in realtion to space)?

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[sol2]

Spacetime is independent of time iff spacetime is static. But spacetime is dynamic then the metric of spacetime will depend on the local motion of space and time.

Up to Planck length, and then it is unobservable?

If such dimensions are compacted how would we ever know? http://wc0.worldcrossing.com/WebX?14@9.5Oq5cmTGeIL.7@.1ddf4a5f/11 and so would the actions of "spooky" at any distance?

We look ever deeper for the "interactive phases" that might represent solutions about that space? Everyone is saying no "hidden variables," yet we had not discerned relevance to Glast in geometrical considerations, so to all intensive purposes, this was hidden

 

[Antonio Lao]

...I am asking is is it possible for Time to 'fold' like space?

In spacetime, this folding is called the curvature of spacetime. But spacetime can still be curved while it can remain static. But in general relativity this is a tautology because of the existence of matter: matter dictates spacetime how to curve and the curvature of spacetime dictates matter how to move. This does not say anything if you want to find the origin of matter.

 

[Antonio Lao]

Up to Planck length, and then it is unobservable?

A theory can still be logical even though not observable.

If I put myself in the shoe of a zero dimensional spacetime point, and ask myself who are my nearest neighbors and how many are there? The logical answer is six. This answer is based on the assumption that the topology of an infinitesimal sphere is equivalent to that of an infinitesimal cube as the length of edge of the cube approaches zero.

 

[sol2]

A theory can still be logical even though not observable.

To the detriment of strings and LQG there defintiely has to be some consistency

If I put myself in the shoe of a zero dimensional spacetime point, and ask myself who are my nearest neighbors and how many are there? The logical answer is six

How did you arrive at that? It becomes a little more difficult then this in term of defining the coordinates references for sure, but then the move to topological consideration overtakes this issue when we continue to think of the Reinmann and the spherical considerations. How did you get there?

Matter considerations can become very fluid and along side of this, gravitational considerations as well. So how well would we define such points without considering the space of considerations without understanding even in the gaussian world there was issues to contend with, that move along side of GR into the dynamical world of QM?

 

[Antonio Lao]

How did you arrive at that?

Please find my reply to your question in the edit of previous post.

 

[The Bob]

In spacetime, this folding is called the curvature of spacetime. But spacetime can still be curved while it can remain static. But in general relativity this is a tautology because of the existence of matter: matter dictates spacetime how to curve and the curvature of spacetime dictates matter how to move. This does not say anything if you want to find the origin of matter.

Therefore is it possible for time to pull away from space (if only for a small period of time) and change speed and then merge back in?

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[sol2]

Please find my reply to your question in the edit of previous post.

And to yours, in mine

 

[Antonio Lao]

...when we continue to think of the Reinmann and the spherical considerations. How did you get there?

Riemannian geometry is static. But if the geometry is dynamic, i.e. introducing a force into the geometry, then the sphere can never be a closed surface. There at the least should have one hole in the form of a point. But the projection of this point into the sphere is an infinitely extended plane and for the infinite points of spacetime there should exist infinite numbers of orthogonal planes and three of these planes intersect at the said point at (0,0,0). These planes also formed a lattice structure separated by a constant distance which experimental limit is the Planck length.

 

[sol2]

Riemannian geometry is static. But if the geometry is dynamic, i.e. introducing a force into the geometry, then the sphere can never be a closed surface. There at the least should have one hole in the form of a point. But the projection of this point into the sphere is an infinitely extended plane and for the infinite points of spacetime there should exist infinite numbers of orthogonal planes and three of these planes intersect at the said point at (0,0,0). These planes also formed a lattice structure separated by a constant distance which experimental limit is the Planck length.

How would you then explain the topology of a sphere as a Genus Figure?

 

[Antonio Lao]

How would you then explain the topology of a sphere as a Genus Figure?

My research goal is to verify the genus of spacetime. At present, I don't think is that of a sphere. I am more incline to say that the topology of spacetime has genus equals 1 similar to that of a doubly twisted Moebius strip.

A sphere, in reality, separate spacetime into an inside and an outside with no connection between points inside and outside except through points on the boundaring spherical closed surface. Once a point is picked on the surface, it is the same thing as creating a hole, literally speaking.

 

[sol2]

My research goal is to verify the genus of spacetime. At present, I don't think is that of a sphere.

http://ccins.camosun.bc.ca/~jbritton/animcup.gif

http://scholar.uwinnipeg.ca/courses/38/4500.6-001/cosmology/donut-coffeecup.gif

Topology is the branch of mathematics concerned with the ramifications of continuity. Topologist emphasize the properties of shapes that remain unchanged no matter how much the shapes are bent twisted or otherwise manipulated.

http://scholar.uwinnipeg.ca/courses/38/4500.6-001/cosmology/wormhole.jpg

A wormhole is a genus 1 topological defect in space.

http://scholar.uwinnipeg.ca/courses/38/4500.6-001/cosmology/Properties-of-Space.htm



I think I should have better asked the question on deviation from discrete to continuity and how this would have been defined mathematically.

In coordinate frames, as have been pointed out in various posts, none have really dealt with the issue of dimension other then within those confines.

Continuity has to explain dimension, and leads from classical discriptions now faced with, higher recognition of four dimensions of space(cube to hypercube), within the issues of topology and recognition of curvature?

The consistency in geometrical expression has to be define through the different phases of that geometry(gravity has been defined up to this point)

U(1) is a point, also a circle, it's length as a one dimensional string defined in the brane:)

A sphere, in reality, separate spacetime into an inside and an outside with no connection between points inside and outside except through points on the boundaring spherical closed surface. Once a point is picked on the surface, it is the same thing as creating a hole, literally speaking.

The energy determination of the circle in U(1)is describing a means by which such consistency might have been recognized? Immediately one wrap of the string, more energy more wraps, hence the length of that string? This movement is defining not only the length but is determining its twists and turns. Does this make sense?

 

[Antonio Lao]

I think I should have better asked the question on deviation from discrete to continuity and how this would have been defined mathematically.

The topology of spacetime is continuous. But spacetime has two distinct topologies merged together. This combination form a discrete dynamic "shape" (I am not going to use the word topology again so that there is a separate concept between discrete and continuous). This shape is analogous to the Hopf ring or doubly twisted Moebius strip when one the two dimensions is shrunk to zero.

The continuity of spacetime comes from its individual topology but the combination of these topologies creates a discrete shape for spacetime structure. This discrete shape is the square of energy and in vector notations: E^2 = \psi_E \times \phi_E \cdot \psi_B \times \phi_B where the \psi_i is the metric and \phi_i is the force but for time independent structure, it is the linear momentum and then the shape becomes a double actions or two interlinked angular momenta (square of Planck constant).

 

[Antonio Lao]

sol2,

Thanks for the beautiful pictures and the web links on topology and will visit them again and again.

 

[sol2]

sol2,

Thanks for the beautiful pictures and the web links on topology and will visit them again and again.

And thank you for your pateince.

I wanted to express this post here as what is revealled is really quite amazing to me. On the issue of quantum gravity there are two roads that we have ventured upon here in terms of LQG and Strings.

Not only is this fundamental difference important to recognize, but through the nature of harmonic realization(strings) and probability statistics(LQG in regards to the monte carlo process), the geometrical considerations have deviated from some point? You have been speaking to this.

What is revealing also, is the question in regards to algebraic means to quantum gravity determinations, that from such a theorectical discussion, how could we not implment what Smolin understood from the distilliation of the three roads, and solving a fundmental problem on the method to determnination? What arose from distilliation was a new math?

Really having come faced to face with such unifications in regards to Relativity and Quantum theory, how shall we measure this unique feature if we had not realized that there must be a method that supports such avenues to investigative tendencies of this theoretical movement?

Glast is a summation from a algebraic standpoint(?) and speaks to both. Smolin's signature new math is well evident to me here. Its sort of like reliving special relativity on the the road to Gr, but we have now institued this view in graviton interaction. How the heck did I get here:)

Geometrical consistency is the baiss of any argument and its consistency is written there? http://www.ensc.sfu.ca/people/grad/brassard/personal/THESIS/node21.html really helped to see this consistency.

 

[Antonio Lao]

sol2,

Thanks for the links to John Baez's discussions.

I'm going to read Lee Smolin's book 'Three Roads to Quantum Gravity' again. Hoping to tie up some loose ends to my own research and also get rid of some loose ends.

 

[Antonio Lao]

sol2,

After reading the link on Klein's ordering of the geometries (and also thanks for this link as well) , I realized that I have been working on a Euclidean geometry without the notion of angles. But then another realization is that projective geometry, which I think I am also using, does not preserve distances. I have to assume that at the local infinitesimal domain of spacetime, the geometry of two linked topologies is elliptic which is the merging of two hyperbolic geometries.

 

[sol2]

sol2,

After reading the link on Klein's ordering of the geometries (and also thanks for this link as well) , I realized that I have been working on a Euclidean geometry without the notion of angles. But then another realization is that projective geometry, which I think I am also using, does not preserve distances. I have to assume that at the local infinitesimal domain of spacetime, the geometry of two linked topologies is elliptic which is the merging of two hyperbolic geometries.

Sometimes it is like asking if there are distinct lines in magnetic fields. Yet we know that the field exists. Some have even allowed us coordinates to consider (higher dimensions), like Gauss. This is a different kind of thinking, yet if I showed you soap bubbles, and then a soccer ball( its surface), how would your thinking change?

Look at this here

 

[Antonio Lao]

how would your thinking change?

Thanks for all these links to various discussions on topology.

When Dirac proposed the existence of magnetic monopole, his thinking was in term of closed surfaces similar to the supposed structures of charged particles or neutrally charged particles such as neutron and neutrinos. But as verified by experiments, all particles, charged or neutral, are point-particles and they all possesses magnetic dipole moments.

My proposal is that closed surfaces do not exist in nature. The genus of the topology that is behind magnetic field is possibly 2. It's like a sphere with two holes, one at the north pole and one at the south pole. And between these holes, some kind of torus topology can be described. And the limiting dynamic makes one topology shrunk to zero while the other approaches an infinitely extended line. The middle ground of these extreme topologies is a Hopf ring.

I am wondering is there a relationship between the genus of a topology and the concept of spin in quantum theory?

 

[sol2]

Thanks for all these links to various discussions on topology.

When Dirac proposed the existence of magnetic monopole, his thinking was in term of closed surfaces similar to the supposed structures of charged particles or neutrally charged particles such as neutron and neutrinos. But as verified by experiments, all particles, charged or neutral, are point-particles and they all possesses magnetic dipole moments.

My proposal is that closed surfaces do not exist in nature. The genus of the topology that is behind magnetic field is possibly 2. It's like a sphere with two holes, one at the north pole and one at the south pole. And between these holes, some kind of torus topology can be described. And the limiting dynamic makes one topology shrunk to zero while the other approaches an infinitely extended line. The middle ground of these extreme topologies is a Hopf ring.

I am wondering is there a relationship between the genus of a topology and the concept of spin in quantum theory?

This last point in bold is a really interesting question for me because if you take all that we have discussed and geometrically apply some consistency what would this look like? We don't know if we have a way of measuring it. The visualization you have, how will you verify it?

I make this issue deeper when the ideas of Optiverse is given, because now we have answered something about the nature of this geometry from a whole new perspective

If we now engage the universe and the dynamics that are going on, how shall we see this brane world when focus on the brane? Remember the topology place in winnipeg?

From this perspective we were given some ideas here on the dynamcial nature and interwoven aspects revealled by a pelastrian notion of elasticity( maybe he will share some of his diagrams and perspective here as it is a really good exercise in looking at the question and nature of this elasticity). How would we ever conceptualize this?

With powerful parallel computers networked to virtual environments, we can explore previously inaccessible problems in geometry, especially where a complex object evolves so as to optimize its shape. For instance, an unknotted loop of string, no matter how tangled, can be persuaded to move (automatically and without breaking) into a round circle. In 4-dimensions, a surface (like a topological sphere) may be knotted. When it is merely tangled we evolve it to its familiar round shape to show it was unknotted. We guide surfaces towards optimality by minimizing mathematical abstractions of physical energies like the Coulomb potential or the bending energy of bilipid membranes. Mathematical surfaces in 3-dimensions (like shadows from 4-dimensions) generally self-intersect, but the Willmore bending energy can still be used to optimize their shape. A sphere can be turned inside out, keeping the surface smooth, but allowing complex self-intersections; we demonstrate this by presenting for the first time a geometrically optimal and computationally automatic http://new.math.uiuc.edu/laterna/minimax/ .

http://new.math.uiuc.edu/laterna/

http://new.math.uiuc.edu/optiverse/img/rs43-196.jpeg

The question in bold is directly answered by Glast and imagine the Gamma ray feature of this universe? But there is more to it that has been spoken to before on your very point in bold. Gravity Probe B?


So now all of a sudden we have this view of the cosmos and the dynamcis that are going on. Olias new thread today, is speaking to this. It is a exercise in what we have been talking about After you read his post go look for the Bose Nova and tell me what you see? To join electromagnetism with Gravity there is a direct resulting view that must be adopted? Should we now speak again to your bold statement?

 

[Antonio Lao]

sol2,

Doing some investigations. Will reply as soon as possible.

 

[Antonio Lao]

sol2,

From reading the introduction section of these two papers

http://xxx.lanl.gov/PS_cache/math/pdf/0203/0203224.pdf

http://xxx.lanl.gov/PS_cache/gr-qc/pdf/9508/9508018.pdf

I am leaning toward the realization that I am on the right track but I need more knowledge of advanced math to completely understand these papers.

As for the theory of elasticity of spacetime, I am making a few assumptions: (1) There is a minimum length (geodesic) between two spacetime points; (2) each spacetime point is associated with a constant force (in one dimension); (3) in two dimensions, this force is inversely proportional to the geodesic; (4) in three dimensions, this force is inversely proportional to the square of the geodesic. The result is Newton's law of universal gravitation but with the added bonus that the mass can be explained by the two distinct topologies of spacetime.

Carl Wieman's "bose nova" implies that repulsive forces arise when all the force vectors are pointing away from a spacetime point and attractive forces arise when all the vectors are pointing into the point.

One more assumption is that each spacetime point can only interact with 6 forces of 6 nearest points without disrupting the cubic lattice structure. But for a tetrahedronic structure, the geometry is less dynamic and hence more stable but highly curved approaching maximum curvature of spacetime.

The conserved quantity from all these interactions between geodesics and forces is the square of energy and there are two distinct forms (E^2 and -E^2).

 

[Antonio Lao]

sol2,

In response to the bold statement, I used Euler characteristic to see a very strong indication that spin is related to genus of its associated topology.

For graviton, topology is a double torus, genus is 2, spin is 2. For spin zero particles, the topology is a sphere, genus is zero. For spin 1 particles, the topology is a torus or Klein bottle or Moebius strip, genus is 1. For spin half particles, the topology is a projective plane, genus is 1/2. For spin 3/2, the topology is three-projective planes, genus is 1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2.

 

[sol2]

sol2,

In response to the bold statement, I used Euler characteristic to see a very strong indication that spin is related to genus of its associated topology.

For graviton, topology is a double torus, genus is 2, spin is 2. For spin zero particles, the topology is a sphere, genus is zero. For spin 1 particles, the topology is a torus or Klein bottle or Moebius strip, genus is 1. For spin half particles, the topology is a projective plane, genus is 1/2. For spin 3/2, the topology is three-projective planes, genus is 1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2.

Can you show correspondance of the graviton, as a double torus genus two?

I am just referring back to a post that I left before for you.


Hyperspace, by Michio Kaku Page 84 and 85,

"To see higher dimensions simplify the laws of nature, we recall that any object has length, width and depth. Since we have the freedom to rotate an object by 90 degrees, we can turn its length into width, and its width into depth. By a simple rotation, we can interchange any of the three spatial dimensions. Now if time is the fourth dimension then it is possible to make "rotations" that convert space into time, and vice versa. These four-dimensional "rotations" are precisely the distortions of space and time demanded by special relativity. In other words, space and time have mixed in a essential way, governed by relativity. The meaning of time as being the fourth dimension is that time and space can rotate into each other in a mathematical precise way. From now on, they must be treated as two aspects of the same quantity: space-time. Thus adding a higher dimension helped to unify the laws of nature."

Antonio said:Space is basically three dimensional. Can subtracting dimension (say from 3 to 2, 2 to 1, 1 to 0) also helped more to unify the laws of nature?

http://www.physics.ucsb.edu/~strings/superstrings/unify.gif

http://www.physics.ucsb.edu/~strings/superstrings/standard.gif

When we move to brane considerations how is it we could see genus types figures here in topology, and not consider the relevance on the issues of fermion and bosons. That fundamental principals arise, in regards to the brane that is not unlike a relationship that restricts photons to the brane, while gravitons are free to roam?

What consistency geometrically define would allow us to speak to the dimensions and at the same time realize such functions of topology are relevant here in brane considerations as to the "standard model" rising from these views?

Orbitals in terms of topological features? If such manner can be describe in the issues of the bose nova then what relavance could such orbitals play here? Is there a connection in how we are view the higher aspects of geometry in regard to probabiilty determinations?

Lets look at the http://wc0.worldcrossing.com/WebX?14@7.uKihc5VZfze.0@.1ddf4ac3/2 in the cosmos?

The four-year set of observations reveals new clues about how a stellar black hole converts matter into streams of energy, unleashed in a powerful flash, and how these jets interact with interstellar space. Studies stemming from the data suggest how the process might be similar to events a far grander scale, over longer time periods, around the colossal supermassive black holes that anchor some galaxies

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/black_hole_011003.html

We needed some way in which to marry concepts of GR with Quantum Theory, and how would we do this with any geometrical consistency?