Constructing Space Without Points: Agree/Disagree?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Kiki
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Point Space
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 1K views
Kiki
Messages
21
Reaction score
1
For sake of argument, let me define a point as a mathematical entity that occupies no space. Then, how can one hypothetically construct space, through addition of points, when each point contributes no space? Because adding points together consists of merely adding nothing to nothing, the most basic unit of space cannot be a point.

Do you agree or disagree with this? Why?
 
Last edited:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Points like lines and planes are mathematical concepts, they don't exist precisely in the physical world.

Points are an idealised thing.

You might also consider that a 1 foot long ruler is finite but has infinity points in its length.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Kiki
Kiki said:
For sake of argument, let me define a point as a mathematical entity that occupies no space. Then, how can one hypothetically construct space, through addition of points, when each point contributes no space? Because adding points together consists of merely adding nothing to nothing, the most basic unit of space cannot be a point.

Do you agree or disagree with this? Why?
You don't get to make your own defintions in physics, when you are using words that already have well specified definitions. Your definition is not incorrect, but should be "... that has no dimensions" not " ... that occupies no space". One does not "construct space though addition of points" so your question is based on a false premise. One constructs space by increasing at least one dimension.