B My head spins when I think about time

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the nature of time, particularly whether it is a creation of movement. Participants highlight Einstein's definitions of proper time, which is measured by clocks, and coordinate time, which is more mathematical. There is a debate on whether time would still exist if all movement ceased, with some suggesting this question leans more towards philosophy. The conversation emphasizes that time can exist independently of motion, as there are non-motion-based processes that also measure time. Overall, the thread invites further exploration of time's complexities in both physics and philosophy.
mixfijoe
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TL;DR Summary
Time,
Hi I’m new to this site as well as physics. But it fascinates me.
Is time the creation of movement?
 
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The best way of keeping your head from spinning is to go with Einstein's definition: "Time is what a clock measures".

There is an analogy with something that Einstein didn't say because it was so obvious: "Distance is what a ruler measures".
 
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mixfijoe said:
TL;DR Summary: Time,

Hi I’m new to this site as well as physics. But it fascinates me.
Is time the creation of movement?
In modern science there are two concepts of time. Proper time is what a clock measured. Coordinate time is a coordinate in some coordinate charts (with some specific properties).

Proper time is the physical one, coordinate time is mathematical.
 
For me, it is the Earth that spins the non-renewable thread of time.
 
Just to nip a common follow-up in the bud; there are processes that aren't motion-based that take time and some can even be used to tell time/as clocks. So we know for sure it isn't required to be tied to motion.
 
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russ_watters said:
Just to nip a common follow-up in the bud; there are processes that aren't motion-based that take time and some can even be used to tell time/as clocks. So we know for sure it isn't required to be tied to motion.
Great answer. But what if everything stop moveing, from the smallest atom to the biggest galaxies. Would time still exist? Or would it stop?
 
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mixfijoe said:
Great answer. But what if everything stop moveing, from the smallest atom to the biggest galaxies. Would time still exist? Or would it stop?
Just Think Timex...

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https://therightreflection.com/change/takes-a-licking-and-keeps-on-ticking/
 
mixfijoe said:
But what if everything stop moveing, from the smallest atom to the biggest galaxies. Would time still exist? Or would it stop?
I think that belongs in Philosophy Forums, next to "If a tree falls in a forest and there's no one to hear it is there a sound?"
 
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Welcome to PF.

mixfijoe said:
Hi I’m new to this site as well as physics. But it fascinates me.
Is time the creation of movement?
mixfijoe said:
Great answer. But what if everything stop moveing, from the smallest atom to the biggest galaxies. Would time still exist? Or would it stop?

You've received good and patient answers to your question, so I'll close this thread for now.

As a tip -- PF works best if you can post links to your reading that you've been doing trying to answer your question. That helps us to address any confusions you may have, and answer your question at your current level of learning. Please keep that in mind for your future questions here. Thanks! :smile:
 
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