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ah ok, I need to read more about this kind of stuff. I've just found some university websites that are pretty good. (wikipedia's explanation was pointing me in the wrong direction, by the way it was worded).
Timelike and spacelike are two different types of intervals in spacetime. A timelike interval is one in which the distance between two events is greater than zero, meaning that the two events can be causally connected. A spacelike interval is one in which the distance between two events is zero or less, meaning that the two events cannot be causally connected.
Timelike intervals are associated with the measurement of time, as they involve events that can be causally connected. Spacelike intervals, on the other hand, are associated with the measurement of space, as they involve events that cannot be causally connected.
No, the distinction between timelike and spacelike intervals is not arbitrary. It is based on the fundamental principles of causality and the structure of spacetime in the theory of relativity.
The concept of causality is closely related to timelike and spacelike intervals. Timelike intervals allow for causally connected events, meaning that one event can influence the other. Spacelike intervals, on the other hand, do not allow for causally connected events, meaning that one event cannot influence the other.
Yes, timelike and spacelike intervals can coexist in spacetime. This is because spacetime is a four-dimensional structure in which both time and space are interconnected and cannot be separated. Therefore, both timelike and spacelike intervals can exist simultaneously in different regions of spacetime.