Degrees of Freedom: Time an Atom/Molecule Factor?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on whether time should be considered a degree of freedom in the context of atoms and molecules. The consensus is that time is not a degree of freedom because it is a dimension through which we move, similar to a constrained spatial dimension. Some participants speculate about the implications of time travel and relativity, suggesting that while time might seem flexible, it remains restricted in terms of degrees of freedom. The conversation highlights the balance between freedom in time and space, indicating that changes in one affect the other. Ultimately, the notion of time as a degree of freedom is challenged and deemed unfeasible.
cragar
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when we talk about degrees of freedom in atoms and molecules should time be a degree of freedom.
 
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cragar said:
when we talk about degrees of freedom in atoms and molecules should time be a degree of freedom.

Short answer … no. :wink:
 
Time is in no way a degree of freedom!
 
why , time is a dimension which we move through so why is it not a degree of freedom.
 
cragar said:
why , time is a dimension which we move through so why is it not a degree of freedom.

I'm guessing because it is a restricted dimension. Just as if the particle was constrained to one single plane, the normal axis would no longer be a degree of freedom.

Just a guess, though. I've never actually talked about degrees of freedom in this context.
 
but I thought traveling back in time was still theoretically possible . And if we bring in theory of relativity if I were to travel faster then object A and then slow down a little bit I would change my time difference to object A and thus be moving forward a little bit then backwards in my time difference thus allowing time as a degree of freedom.
 
Gaining freedom in time makes you lose freedom in space, though. The total number of degrees of freedom doesn't change just because you happen to be moving in a particular way.
 
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ok i see , what about traveling back in time.
 

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