Space-time Concept by Einstein

[F1225]

Good day!
I am quite blur with the Space-time concept proposed by Einstein.
Can anyone explain briefly on what he meant by that term(Space-time)?
3-D space+1-D time?

 

[HallsofIvy]

Yes, "A four dimensional space time continuum" means three dimensions of space and one time dimension.
It simply means that physics deals with "events"- something that happens at a specific point, at a specific time. In any coordinate system, it will four numbers to specify an "event".

 

[Drakkith]

To bounce off what Ivy said, imagine you want to describe where something is. To do so we need to have 3 numbers for space, one number for each dimension (or axis on a graph). Their meeting point is where that object is located at. But, it turns out that we also have to have another number to describe where something is at in time. So 4 numbers equals 4 dimensions, 3 of space and 1 of time.

 

[robphy]

Actually it was Minkowski (one of Einstein's mathematics professors) who formulated the idea of space-time... and used it to explain Einstein's relativity to others.

 

[F1225]

Thanks... As i knew physicist likes to tabulate results and put them as a graph right? Erm...let's say i want to put the Space-time on a Cartesian plane, is that possible? Or are there any other more advance graphing methods for a 4-Dimension graph?

 

[Drakkith]

Thanks... As i knew physicist likes to tabulate results and put them as a graph right? Erm...let's say i want to put the Space-time on a Cartesian plane, is that possible?

I think so. A simple example of a particle traveling one direction through space can easily be shown on a normal graph. You only need one axis for space and one for time.

 

[F1225]

Oic..Which means that we won't be able to draw a 4D graph on a 2D cartesian plane?
Other than cartesian plane are there any other graphing methods?
:what:

 

[Drakkith]

Oic..Which means that we won't be able to draw a 4D graph on a 2D cartesian plane?
Other than cartesian plane are there any other graphing methods?
:what:

Not sure. I'm would bet there are plenty of different methods, but I really don't know. Try searching around a bit.

 

[harrylin]

Good day!
I am quite blur with the Space-time concept proposed by Einstein.
Can anyone explain briefly on what he meant by that term(Space-time)?
3-D space+1-D time?

See: http://www.bartleby.com/173/17.html

 

[Naty1]

You can plot three dimensions, say x,y,z on a two dimensional paper.
For 4D, you need a 3D 'paper'...

For 3D displays, you might HOLOGRAMS of interest...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hologram#How_holography_works

 

[Naty1]

The 'space time concept' alludes to that fact that when you want to meet someone, for example, you have to specify a PLACE and a TIME...one without the other won't do. In addition, it turns out that at very high speeds, time and space transform into one another...
they are not entirely independent entities as they appear to be in our everyday world.

You may also want to study Minkowski space. Nice diagram and explanation here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minkowski_space


note that the horizontal 'hypersurface of the present' is merely and x and y space,
while the passage of time is plotted vertically...up for the future, down for the past...

Einstein concluded the spacetime interval is fixed for all observers, and you can't go as fast as 'c' if you have mass...so we are stuck within the plotted 'lightcones'.