Can the movement of an object or particle through space be considered continuous?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of quantized space and whether it is smooth and continuous or if it consists of discrete units. The possibility of space being quantized is still being explored, but currently, it is commonly modeled as continuous.
  • #1
jadrian
143
0
or is space itseld quantized meaning an object moving from a to b
would in some way look like A \/\/\/\/\0/\/\/\/ B

or is it smooth and continuous like A--------0------B

?
 
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  • #2
We aren't sure yet; some modern theories lean towards quantized. Of course, there's no huge problems taking it as continuous for classical systems.
 
  • #3
jadrian said:
or is space itseld quantized meaning an object moving from a to b
would in some way look like A \/\/\/\/\0/\/\/\/ B

or is it smooth and continuous like A--------0------B

?

As Pythagorean said, nobody knows, but it's a commonly asked question and if you do a forum search you'll find a lot of discussion on it (the bottom line of which is, of course, nobody knows)
 
Last edited:
  • #4
Space is currently modeled as continuous. There are hypothesis that quantizing it may lead to better models, but that idea is still being worked on.
 

1. What is continuous motion?

Continuous motion refers to the movement of an object or particle without interruption or gaps. This means that the object or particle is constantly changing its position in space without any breaks or pauses.

2. How is continuous motion different from discrete motion?

Continuous motion is different from discrete motion in that it does not have any breaks or interruptions, while discrete motion involves distinct movements with pauses or stops in between. An example of continuous motion is a car driving down a smooth road, while an example of discrete motion is a car moving in a series of jerks and stops due to traffic lights.

3. Can all types of motion be considered continuous?

No, not all types of motion can be considered continuous. Certain types of motion, such as rotational motion, involve a circular movement that can only be measured at specific points, making it discrete rather than continuous.

4. Is continuous motion the same as uniform motion?

No, continuous motion and uniform motion are not the same. Uniform motion refers to an object or particle moving at a constant speed in a straight line, while continuous motion can involve changes in speed and direction.

5. How is the continuity of motion related to the laws of physics?

The continuity of motion is closely related to the laws of physics, specifically Newton's laws of motion. These laws state that an object will remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force, and that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it. These laws help explain the concept of continuous motion and how it relates to the movement of objects and particles through space.

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