Is Time Just Another Coordinate Axis That We Can Only See Moving Forward?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of time as a coordinate axis that can only be moved forward, and how humans can only perceive it moving in that direction. The idea of particles being able to move backwards in time is debated, but it is ultimately concluded that this is not possible based on the principles of least action and least time.
  • #1
sqljunkey
181
8
Is it possible that time is just another coordinate axis? That it can be moved freely into backwards and forwards at any speed. And for some reason we as humans can only see it moving forward? and communicate at a definite speed in time.

Maybe everything is already calculated and solved, and we are just moving through the steps. If that is so is there anyway to find out?
 
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  • #2
sqljunkey said:
Is it possible that time is just another coordinate axis?

This is how it is treated in physics...

sqljunkey said:
That it can be moved freely into backwards and forwards at any speed.

... except that you can't move backwards along it. Also note that your own 'speed' through time never ever changes. If you keep a clock with you at all times, it will always tick at 1 second per second. You will only ever observe clocks not in your frame of reference ticking at some other rate.

sqljunkey said:
And for some reason we as humans can only see it moving forward? and communicate at a definite speed in time.

If we can only observe it moving forward, that would seem to preclude us ever observing it doing anything else. :wink:
 
  • #3
sqljunkey said:
Is it possible that time is just another coordinate axis?
Time IS "just another coordinate". Actually, I thing the term "dimension" is more appropriate
That it can be moved freely into backwards and forwards at any speed.
no, you can only move forward in time.
And for some reason we as humans can only see it moving forward? and communicate at a definite speed in time.
How would you test for that?EDIT: I see Drakkith beat me to it.
 
  • #4
What about principles like least action and least time, where particles take non-straight paths to a point. Doesn't that imply that we can't move backwards or at higher than c in time, but particles can and do ?
 
  • #5
sqljunkey said:
What about principles like least action and least time, where particles take non-straight paths to a point. Doesn't that imply that we can't move backwards or at higher than c in time, but particles can and do ?
Well, since they CAN'T and DON'T, don't you think your premise is probably wrong?
 
  • #6
sqljunkey said:
What about principles like least action and least time, where particles take non-straight paths to a point. Doesn't that imply that we can't move backwards or at higher than c in time, but particles can and do ?

No. Remember that we ourselves are made out of particles and follow identical rules in the right circumstances.
 
  • #7
sqljunkey said:
where particles take non-straight paths to a point.
And that's without using Sat Nav!
 

1. What is the direction of time?

The direction of time refers to the flow of time from the past to the present and into the future. It is often described as a one-way arrow, with events moving in a single direction.

2. Can the direction of time be reversed?

No, the direction of time cannot be reversed. Time only moves forward and cannot be reversed or paused.

3. How is the direction of time related to the concept of entropy?

The direction of time is closely related to the concept of entropy, which is a measure of disorder or randomness in a system. The second law of thermodynamics states that entropy always increases over time, which is why time moves in a single direction.

4. How does speed affect the direction of time?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, time is relative and can be affected by speed. As an object moves faster, time slows down for that object relative to a stationary observer. However, the direction of time still remains the same for both the moving object and the observer.

5. Is the direction of time the same everywhere in the universe?

Yes, the direction of time is the same everywhere in the universe. It is a fundamental aspect of our universe and is not affected by location or gravity.

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