Minkowski's 4 dimensional world

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The discussion revolves around the interpretation of Minkowski's four-dimensional space in relation to Einstein's theories of relativity. A key point raised is the use of the imaginary unit 'i' in the Lorentz transformation, which some argue complicates the understanding of spacetime geometry by obscuring the differences between Minkowskian and Euclidean spaces. Participants clarify that the term 'ict' is not a direct representation of the distance traveled by light but rather a mathematical tool to align the metric with Euclidean forms, despite its limitations. The conversation also touches on the implications of using different metric signatures, which can lead to confusion in interpreting spacetime intervals. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes the need for a clear distinction between the metrics of Minkowski and Euclidean spaces in understanding the nature of spacetime.
  • #31
these are good references. I'm learning something new. especially the Noether theorem. does anyone else have something to say?
 

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