How Does Stephen Hawking's Theory Connect Time and Mass?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between time and mass as proposed by Stephen Hawking, particularly in the context of general relativity. Participants explore how mass influences time and space, and the implications of these effects in both theoretical and empirical terms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why mass affects time, seeking clarification on the underlying reasons.
  • Another participant explains that mass causes distortions in space-time, which are experienced as gravity, and provides examples such as the effects near a black hole and in GPS technology.
  • A participant emphasizes that the effects of mass are not limited to time but also affect space, prompting a rephrasing of the original question.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of space-time in general relativity, with one participant suggesting that it is a unified concept and questioning the possibility of answering "why" mass affects time and space.
  • Another participant notes that while the relationship between mass and time is an empirical observation, it is not necessarily explained by a "why" but rather described by equations that physicists seek to refine.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the relationship between mass and time, with some focusing on the empirical observations and others questioning the fundamental reasons behind these effects. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the deeper "why" of the relationship.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that the discussion involves complex concepts from general relativity and that the relationship between mass, space, and time may depend on specific definitions and interpretations.

ashishsinghal
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In Stephen Hawkins videos he told that time was affected by mass. Why would that be? Can anyone tell?
 
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Mass causes distortions to space-time, that's what we experience / refer-to as 'gravity.' For example, for an outside observer, time is greater slowed down near the event horizon of a black-hole.
In a less extreme case, the Global Positioning System (GPS) is able to detect the effects of Earth's gravity---slowing down the rate of time near the surface of the earth.
 
zhermes said:
Mass causes distortions to space-time, that's what we experience / refer-to as 'gravity.'

Here is the next question: Why on TIME?
 
Not only on time: it affects space AND time.
Why are you asking "Why on TIME" but not asking "Why on space"?
 
because my doubt was related to time.
But if you wish I will rephrase my question:
Why on space and time?
 
ashishsinghal said:
Why on TIME?

ashishsinghal said:
Why on space and time?

In general relativity, space-time is essentially one thing. Space-time is also the medium in which mass acts... I don't think anyone can answer your question of 'why,' I don't think there is an answer.
 
you mean it is a postulate.
 
ashishsinghal said:
you mean it is a postulate.
It's also an empirical observation of a relationship between the mass/energy distribution in a region and proper time (time as measured by a clock) for a worldline in that region. No theory of physics can ever really tell you "why" a given equation correctly describes the relationship between different quantities, it's just the business of physicists to find what the most accurate equations describing these relationships are.
 

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