Are equations for spacetime intervals correct?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the correctness of equations related to spacetime intervals in a 2D context, including derivations and alternative formulations. Participants explore the implications of these equations and their representations in terms of coordinates and time.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents equations for spacetime intervals, leading to the well-known equation relating time and space intervals.
  • Another participant agrees with the correctness of the final equations but suggests using a positive sign for space coordinates and a negative sign for time coordinates as a matter of preference.
  • A different participant also confirms the correctness of the equations while recommending the use of specific units (seconds for time and light-seconds for distance) to simplify the expressions.
  • Several participants engage in light-hearted commentary about perfection and identity, without addressing the technical content further.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

While some participants agree on the correctness of the final equations, there is no consensus on the preferred representation of the equations or the implications of their forms. The discussion includes both agreement and differing preferences.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying preferences for the representation of spacetime intervals, indicating that the discussion may depend on personal taste rather than strict mathematical necessity.

Mike_bb
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Hello!

I considered connections between spacetime intervals in 2D (see pic below) and their coordinates/times. I derived following equations (##A_1## and ##A_2## are coefficients that depend on coordinates and times):

##A_1(x_1,x_2,t_1,t_2)(c^2\Delta t^2-\Delta x^2) = A_2(x_1',x_2',t_1',t_2')(c^2\Delta t'^2-\Delta x'^2)##
##A_1(x_1,x_2,t_1,t_2)(c^2\Delta t'^2-\Delta x'^2) = A_2(x_1',x_2',t_1',t_2')(c^2\Delta t^2-\Delta x^2)##

It leads to well-known equation:

##c^2\Delta t^2-\Delta x^2 = c^2\Delta t'^2-\Delta x'^2##

I also derived this equation in a different way. I used coordinates and time of events A and B (##K## is coefficient that depends on coordinates and times of events):

##c^2\Delta t^2-\Delta x^2 = K(x_A=0,t_A=0,x_B=v\Delta t,t_B=\Delta t)(c^2\Delta t'^2-\Delta x'^2)##

##c^2\Delta t'^2-\Delta x'^2 = K(x_A=0,t_A=0,x_B=v\Delta t,t_B=\Delta t)(c^2\Delta t^2-\Delta x^2)##

##c^2\Delta t^2-\Delta x^2 = K(c^2\Delta t'^2-\Delta x'^2)##

##c^2\Delta t'^2-\Delta x'^2 = K(c^2\Delta t^2-\Delta x^2)##

It leads to ##c^2\Delta t^2-\Delta x^2 = c^2\Delta t'^2-\Delta x'^2##

1.jpg


Are my equations for spacetime intervals correct?

Thanks!
 
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The final equations are correct. But I prefer to use a positive for the space coordinates and a negative for the time coordinate. It is just a matter of taste.
 
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Mike_bb said:
Are my equations for spacetime intervals correct?
Yes, although you can avoid a bit of clutter if you use seconds for time and light-seconds for distance so that all the ##c^2## factors disappear.
 
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Dale said:
The final equations are correct. But I prefer to use a positive for the space coordinates and a negative for the time coordinate. It is just a matter of taste.
Nobody's perfect.
 
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SiennaTheGr8 said:
Nobody's perfect.
Nobody knows about it.
 
SiennaTheGr8 said:
Nobody's perfect.
My name is Nobody.
 
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