Let's talk about geometrized units

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SUMMARY

Geometrized units convert all measurements to length due to the geometric interpretation of spacetime in relativity. This convention simplifies discussions by allowing time to be expressed in terms of length, aligning with the mathematical framework of relativity. While it may seem arbitrary, the choice of length as the base unit facilitates a clearer understanding of relativistic effects. Alternatives like "temporalized" units could exist, but the established convention remains focused on length.

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  • Awareness of dimensional analysis
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  • Research the implications of geometrized units in general relativity
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elegysix
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Is there a reason geometrized units convert everything to length?
Why not time or something else?
This seems odd to me.
 
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There's only three dimensions available for units: length, time, and mass.
You have to pick one so why not length?

It's usually more convenient to convert lengths to time for discussions and time to length for maths.
It would be a bit funny to convert everything to mass (energy) but I suppose you could.
 
elegysix said:
Is there a reason geometrized units convert everything to length?
Why not time or something else?
This seems odd to me.
The reason to choose length is in the name: geometrized. The idea comes from relativity, which in its mathematically cleanest form interprets all of the famous relativistic effects as features of the geometry of spacetime. In this geometry it makes sense to use units of length for time. Then, it is merely a matter of carrying that geometric idea through to all the other units.

In the end it is just an arbitrary convention and they could have just as well called it "temporalized" or something else and used time or some other base unit.
 
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