# (distance)(speed of light)^2 = speed of time with units

1. May 6, 2008

### dranseth

Sorry, I think I made a thread in the wrong section before. I was wondering if anyone thought time could have a speed? If so, what would be its dimensions?

I encountered someone who claimed that
(distance)(speed of light)^2 = speed of time
with units, that would be m^3/s^2 = speed of time

is this possible? or is this some retarded proposal? Opinions?

2. May 6, 2008

### phlegmy

the way i see it speed is defined as the distance covered divided by the time taken.
therefore speed is defined BY time:
to define time by it speed would/could create a circular reference.
[what is a fork? a fork is what goes with a knife. ok, so what is a knife then? a knife is what goes with a fork. we're not much further in finding out what a fork is!]
HOWEVER
i have wondered before if time was continuous or discreet, i.e. does the universe have a refresh rate of sorts. in my bit of digging i came across a concept of "plank time" i cant tell you anything about it though! but i thought you may be interested.
just my two €cents

3. Mar 2, 2009

### Archosaur

Re: speed

Do you mean really "speed" or do you mean "rate"?

If you mean "speed", then no. Speed is displacement over time. Time cannot be described in this way. I cannot tell where the guy got
the equation "(distance)(speed of light)^2 = speed of time". What does he mean by "distance" and why "$$C^{2}$$"? but just to put a nail in that coffin:

(distance)(speed of light)^2 = speed of time
or
(meters)(C meters per second)$$^{2}$$=(meters per second)
the units are
$$\frac{m^{3}}{s^{2}} = \frac{m}{s}$$

As you can see, that's not true. So, you can toss it out right there.

If you mean "rate", then yes. Time does have a rate. It is roughly 1 second per second.

If you mean something other than "speed" or "rate", you should clarify the OP. Maybe that means finding that guy again...

Last edited: Mar 2, 2009