Exploring the Relationship Between Space and Time

In summary, Wheeler said that spacetime tells matter how to curve and move, and that if there were no objects in the universe, then the spacetime has no meaning. Einstein brought space and time on equal footing by bringing the RHS of the Einstein equation (matter) and the LHS of it (geometry). The proper time doesn't flow on the photon, but the worldline of the photon is still in the spacetime continuum.
  • #1
mkbh_10
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Are space & time same ,like two sides of a coin , one cannot exist without another ? Also does time exist for photons ?
 
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  • #2
mkbh_10 said:
Are space & time same ,like two sides of a coin , one cannot exist without another ? Also does time exist for photons ?
Wheeler(not sure) said matter tells spacetime how to curve, and spacetime tells matter how to move. Actually, if there were no objects in the universe, then the spacetime has no meaning. This contradicts to Newton's absolute concept of spacetime background. That's why the RHS of the Einstein equation is matter, the LHS of it is geometry. In some sense, the spatial space and temperal space cannot be separated. Because it's a spacetime continuum. What Einstein did is to bring space and time on equal footing.
Althou the proper time doesn't flow on the photon, the worldline of photon is still in the spacetime continuum.
 
  • #3
mkbh_10 said:
Are space & time same ,like two sides of a coin , one cannot exist without another ? Also does time exist for photons ?
Space and time have never been observed to exist without the other. Whether they can is a different story. For space to exist without time would mean that there has to be a space where there are objects present but for which nothing can happen, no motion no nothing.

Pete
 
  • #4
ismaili said:
Wheeler(not sure) said matter tells spacetime how to curve, and spacetime tells matter how to move. Actually, if there were no objects in the universe, then the spacetime has no meaning. This contradicts to Newton's absolute concept of spacetime background. That's why the RHS of the Einstein equation is matter, the LHS of it is geometry. In some sense, the spatial space and temperal space cannot be separated. Because it's a spacetime continuum. What Einstein did is to bring space and time on equal footing.
Althou the proper time doesn't flow on the photon, the worldline of photon is still in the spacetime continuum.

By the way, I come up with that I heard a talk which addressed the two-time physics, meaning, there are two temporal dimensions. They can prove that three-time physics or higher-time physics are impossible. I forgot the details, anyway, a crazy idea.
 

1. How does space and time relate to each other?

The relationship between space and time is a fundamental concept in physics known as spacetime. It is described as a four-dimensional continuum where three dimensions represent space and the fourth represents time. This relationship is essential in understanding the motion and behavior of objects in the universe.

2. How does the concept of relativity explain the relationship between space and time?

The theory of relativity, proposed by Albert Einstein, explains how space and time are interconnected. It states that the laws of physics are the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. This means that space and time are not absolute but are relative to the observer's frame of reference.

3. How does the expansion of the universe affect the relationship between space and time?

The expansion of the universe, as predicted by the Big Bang theory, has a significant impact on the relationship between space and time. As the universe expands, the space between objects increases, and time also slows down. This expansion is responsible for the stretching of space and the movement of galaxies away from each other.

4. Can space and time be manipulated or warped?

According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, space and time can be warped by massive objects such as planets, stars, and black holes. This warping of spacetime is known as gravity and explains how objects with mass attract each other. It also predicts the bending of light around massive objects.

5. How does the concept of spacetime affect our daily lives?

The concept of spacetime has many practical applications in our daily lives. For example, GPS technology uses the principles of relativity to accurately determine locations on Earth. It also helps us understand the aging process, as time moves slower for objects in motion. Additionally, spacetime is crucial in understanding the behavior of celestial bodies and the evolution of the universe.

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