Was H.G. Wells' Concept of Time as a Fourth Dimension Accurate?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around H.G. Wells' portrayal of time as a fourth dimension in his book "The Time Machine." Participants explore the implications of this concept in relation to physical objects and dimensions, examining both the accuracy and completeness of Wells' ideas within the context of modern physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether something that does not exist can be said to have real existence, suggesting that such contradictions do not pertain to physics.
  • Another participant asks if physical objects require four dimensions (height, width, depth, and time) for accurate description.
  • A claim is made that physical objects exist in four-dimensional space-time, but this does not fully describe them.
  • One participant asserts that time is indeed the fourth dimension of the physical world, supported by observations of sub-atomic particles within time intervals.
  • Another participant critiques the use of Euclidean 4-dimensional geometry as an accurate model of spacetime, noting that Wells did not distinguish between space and time dimensions, rendering his theory incomplete.
  • A participant reflects on the fictional nature of "The Time Machine" while acknowledging its prophetic elements regarding real-world science and engineering.
  • Concerns are expressed about the complexity of grasping the geometry of time as described by Wells.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the accuracy and completeness of Wells' concept of time as a fourth dimension. Some agree with the notion of time being a fourth dimension, while others critique the model and its implications, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the definitions of dimensions and the implications of describing physical objects in four-dimensional space-time. The discussion also highlights the limitations of applying Euclidean geometry to the concept of spacetime.

Shawn Robinson
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In the book by H. G. Wells "The Time Machine"

In the first chapter of the book, the "time traveller" character asked the question "Can a cube that does not last for any time at all, have a real existence?" and then goes on to explain that everything physical has at least 4 dimensions, height, width, depth, and time.

So my question is was he correct in this description?
 
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I translate your question as "Does something that never existed ever exist?" The self-contradictory language gives you the answer, "No."

Riddles based on contradictions are not physics. I suspect that the mentor might close this thread because of that.
 
How many dimensions does a physical tangible object have, ie. a desk, a phone, etc. Is that part correct, that you have to have at 4 dimension to be able to describe an object accurately?

I do apologize if my question seems simple, most of what little i know of physical sciences is self taught.
 
A physical object exists in 4D space-time. That does not describe it.
 
Thanks, guess i need to go back to reading the primers again.
 
Yes, that is a correct description. The newly discovered sub-atomic particles have been confirmed to exist by being observed in a time interval, albeit a very short interval of time. Time is the fourth dimension of the physical world.
 
Euclidian 4-dimensional geometry is not an accurate model of spacetime. Wells was on the right track but he made no distinction between the space and time dimensions, so his theory was incomplete.
 
David and Pete, thank you, granted the time machine is pure fiction. But I did find it interesting that quite a few books from that time period have been "prophetic" for a lack of a better term. in regard to real world science and engineering.

Wells did describe the time dimension at being at right angles to the other 3, my brain is not quite agile enough to be able to easily grasp the geometry of that.

Thanks again
 

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