Is spacetime not the same as space and time ?

In summary: Einstein's theory of general relativity shows how gravity is a result of the curvature of spacetime. Spacetime is a four-dimensional entity that combines the spatial dimensions of length, width, and height with the temporal dimension of time. This means that space and time are not separate entities, but rather different aspects of the same thing. In summary, spacetime is not the same as space and time, as it combines both into one four-dimensional entity and is responsible for the phenomenon of gravity.
  • #1
Atheists Era
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is spacetime not the same as space and time ??

please explain what's the difference between "spacetime" and, space and time ?

i heard space has it's own properties and time has it's own properties but "spacetime" has completely different properties. Please explain. Thanks
 
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  • #2
Space and time are classical physics concepts. Einstein showed that they are actually both parts of one entity, spacetime. Google "general relativity"
 
  • #3
You can think of space and time as two sides of the same coin, which would be spacetime. This is the main idea behind general relativity. Space and time are two separate things, but are united (some prefer "married") by the theory of relativity.
 
  • #4
In Newtonian spacetime, everyone agrees on the spatial separation [tex]\Delta x = \sqrt{x^{2} + y^{2} + z^{2}}[/tex] of events and the temporal separation of events [tex]\Delta t [/tex]
In special relativity, everyone agrees on the spatiotemporal distance between events [tex]c^{2} \tau^{2} = \sqrt{c^{2}t^{2} - x^{2} - y^{2} - z^{2}}[/tex] but not the spatial [tex]\Delta x =\sqrt{- x^{2} - y^{2} - z^{2}} [/tex] and temporal [tex]ct [/tex] components individually.
 
  • #5
Atheists Era said:
is spacetime not the same as space and time ??

please explain what's the difference between "spacetime" and, space and time ?

i heard space has it's own properties and time has it's own properties but "spacetime" has completely different properties. Please explain. Thanks

Newton thought that space and time were independent, but they aren't. This interdependence is known as spacetime.
 

1. What is the difference between spacetime, space, and time?

Spacetime is a concept that combines space and time into a single entity. It is a fundamental concept in Einstein's theory of relativity, which describes how the laws of physics work in the presence of massive objects and high speeds. Space refers to the three-dimensional physical extent in which objects exist, while time refers to the progression of events. So, while spacetime includes both space and time, it is not the same as either one individually.

2. How does the concept of spacetime affect our understanding of the universe?

The concept of spacetime allows us to understand how objects interact with each other and how the universe evolves over time. It also helps us to understand the effects of gravity and how it warps the fabric of spacetime. Without the concept of spacetime, our understanding of the universe would be very limited.

3. Is spacetime a physical entity or just a mathematical concept?

Spacetime is both a physical entity and a mathematical concept. In Einstein's theory of relativity, spacetime is described as a four-dimensional fabric that can be bent and warped by the presence of mass and energy. However, it is also a mathematical concept that is used to describe the laws of physics and make predictions about the behavior of objects in the universe.

4. How does the concept of spacetime relate to the idea of time dilation?

Time dilation is a phenomenon that occurs in spacetime due to the effects of gravity and high speeds. It describes how time can pass at different rates for observers in different frames of reference. This concept is a direct result of the merging of space and time in the concept of spacetime. Without the idea of spacetime, time dilation would not be possible.

5. Can the concept of spacetime be applied to everyday life?

While the concept of spacetime is often associated with complex theories and experiments, it can also be applied to our everyday lives. For example, GPS systems use the principles of spacetime to accurately calculate location and time. Additionally, the concept of time dilation can be observed in our daily lives, such as the time difference experienced by astronauts in space compared to those on Earth.

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