What is the nature of space and time?

In summary: As I recall, it gets bogged down (as all such discussions do) in what is actually meant by "time". So the short answer is that space and time do not seem to be things to themselves, but properties or dimensions of the universe (or of spacetime if you prefer).In summary, the question of whether space and time are things to themselves or just what things occur in has been discussed extensively on this forum. The consensus is that they are not things, but rather properties or dimensions of the universe or spacetime. The idea of categorizing them as things serves no real purpose.
  • #1
Dremmer
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Are space and time things to themselves? Or are they just what things occur in? For example, fish occur in water, but water is a thing to itself and things occur in it (e.g. "fish"). Are space and time the same way?
 
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  • #2
Dremmer said:
Are space and time things to themselves? Or are they just what things occur in? For example, fish occur in water, but water is a thing to itself and things occur in it (e.g. "fish"). Are space and time the same way?

Your question seems too vague to answer. Define exactly what "things to themselves" means. Spacetime is not a thing according to the dictionary since it doesn't fit the definition of what a thing is. Things do occur within spacetime.

Since you could call the entire universe a thing and if spacetime only resides within all the remnants of big bang explosion, then I guess you could call spacetime a thing as well. But what purpose does it serve to put things/ideas/phenomenons into categories?
 
  • #3
Dremmer said:
Are space and time things to themselves? Or are they just what things occur in? For example, fish occur in water, but water is a thing to itself and things occur in it (e.g. "fish"). Are space and time the same way?

This has been discussed numerous times on this forum, in various ways, and the consensus, to the extent that there IS any consensus, is that they are not things, they are properties of spacetime, the way spin is not a thing but rather is a property of subatomic particles.

There have been several discussions about whether or not space is created as part of the accelerated expansion of the universe caused by "dark energy" (whatever that is) and here too the consensus, to the extent that there is one, is that new space is not created, things just get farther apart (and how weird is that?).

There is a LONG thread on time here:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=570085
 

1. Are space and time physical things?

This is a philosophical question that has been debated for centuries. While some argue that space and time are abstract concepts, others believe that they are physical entities. In the realm of science, space and time are often treated as physical dimensions that can be measured and observed. However, their exact nature is still a topic of ongoing research and discussion.

2. Can space and time be manipulated or controlled?

Through the theory of relativity, we know that space and time are interconnected and can be affected by gravity and velocity. However, we have not yet discovered a way to actively manipulate or control these dimensions. Some theories, such as wormholes and time travel, suggest that it may be possible in the future, but these ideas are still largely theoretical and unproven.

3. Do space and time exist outside of our universe?

As our current understanding of space and time is based on the laws and principles observed in our universe, it is difficult to determine if they exist outside of it. Some theories, such as the multiverse theory, suggest that there may be other universes with different laws of space and time. However, until we have concrete evidence, this remains a topic of speculation and debate.

4. How do space and time affect the behavior of matter and energy?

Space and time play crucial roles in the behavior of matter and energy. For example, Einstein's theory of relativity shows how gravity is affected by the curvature of space and time. The laws of thermodynamics also rely on the concept of time to explain the flow of energy. Without space and time, the behavior of matter and energy would be drastically different.

5. Can we ever fully understand the nature of space and time?

As our understanding of the universe and the laws that govern it continues to evolve, we may come closer to understanding the true nature of space and time. However, it is possible that our human minds may never be able to fully comprehend these complex concepts. Just as our understanding of the universe is constantly expanding, so too may our understanding of space and time.

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