Is Time a Dimension or a Measure of Movement?

In summary, time is considered the fourth dimension because it takes time to move from one point to another. This dimension cannot be converted into other dimensions, such as length or velocity. However, time can still exist without movement, as seen in the measurements of a heartbeat or an atomic clock. This concept of time as a separate dimension is not preferred, but it is confirmed through observations and the concept of intervals.
  • #1
mmmchicken
9
0
Because it takes time to get from one point to another?
 
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  • #2
Usually it is considered the 4th dimension, since there are 3 spatial dimensions.
 
  • #3
mmmchicken said:
Because it takes time to get from one point to another?
It also takes time when you don't move. Dimension means that one cannot be converted into another. You could replace time by velocity (preferably that of light in a vacuum), but you cannot replace length by time or vice versa.
 
  • #4
Basically, yes. We can hypothetically set up a coordinate system where three of the axes represent locations in space and an additional axis represents a "location" in time. That gives rise to the notion of the interval, the separation in both space and time, which unlike spatial separation is not observed to be different by observers with different velocities.
 
  • #5
fresh_42 said:
It also takes time when you don't move. Dimension means that one cannot be converted into another. You could replace time by velocity (preferably that of light in a vacuum), but you cannot replace length by time or vice versa.
How can there be time with no movement? There's nothing to measure?
 
  • #6
mmmchicken said:
How can there be time with no movement? There's nothing to measure?
Your heartbeat measures time. An atomic clock measures time, and it doesn't move at all (relative to the Earth's surface).
 
  • #7
jack476 said:
Basically, yes. We can hypothetically set up a coordinate system where three of the axes represent locations in space and an additional axis represents a "location" in time. That gives rise to the notion of the interval, the separation in both space and time, which unlike spatial separation is not observed to be different by observers with different velocities.
Why isn't this preferred?
 
  • #8
fresh_42 said:
Your heartbeat measures time. An atomic clock measures time, and it doesn't move at all (relative to the Earth's surface).
not measuring but confirming
 

FAQ: Is Time a Dimension or a Measure of Movement?

1. What is the 2nd dimension in relation to time?

The 2nd dimension in relation to time refers to the concept that time is a linear dimension, similar to the 3 spatial dimensions (length, width, and height) that we are familiar with in our everyday lives. It is used in theories and models to describe the movement and progression of events in a specific direction.

2. How is time measured in the 2nd dimension?

In the 2nd dimension, time is measured in units such as seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc. It can also be measured in terms of specific events or occurrences, such as the time it takes for a pendulum to swing or the time it takes for a planet to orbit around the sun.

3. Can time exist without the 2nd dimension?

No, time cannot exist without the 2nd dimension. In order for time to be measured and observed, there must be a linear progression of events in a specific direction. Without the 2nd dimension, time would not be able to be measured or perceived.

4. How does the 2nd dimension affect our perception of time?

The 2nd dimension affects our perception of time by providing a framework for us to understand and measure its passage. It allows us to organize and make sense of events in a linear manner and gives us a sense of direction and progression in time.

5. Are there other dimensions of time besides the 2nd dimension?

Some theories in physics suggest that there may be more than one dimension of time, such as the concept of "imaginary time" in certain models of the universe. However, the 2nd dimension is the most commonly accepted and understood dimension of time in current scientific understanding.

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