A What is the formal definition of spacetime in physics?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Enrico
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spacetime
Click For Summary
Spacetime is mathematically defined as a pseudo-Riemannian manifold with a locally Lorentzian metric, represented as a pair (M, g_ab), where M is the manifold. In General Relativity, all events are considered equivalent in terms of the manifold structure, although the geometry can vary due to the metric. Special Relativity simplifies this to a flat Minkowski spacetime, where the metric is uniform across all events. The discussion emphasizes that while one can choose a coordinate system and designate an origin, this choice is arbitrary and does not confer any physical significance to that point. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the mathematical foundations of spacetime to avoid misconceptions.
  • #61
@Enrico you have not provided a good reason to reject an axiomatic formulation. In fact, you accepted it for vectors but rejected it for spacetime. Your justification was to capitalize the word THE. That is not a valid justification. Nor is bold or italics or underlining.

Since the professional scientific literature uses axioms then those axioms are acceptable here on PF. Material has been provided using those acceptable axioms as a starting point and reasoning from there. As usual, there are multiple such equivalent starting points and approaches that have been provided.

If you find that unsuitable for your preferences then it is up to you to show that your preferences are also suitable by finding a professional scientific reference that embodies your preferred starting point and construction. If your preferences are incompatible with the literature then your preferences should change.

When you have found such a reference please feel free to open a new thread on the topic. Alternatively, while reading the existing material that has been provided please feel free to open a new thread on any point in any of those references that you find confusing.

As this thread has become unproductive and inconsistent with the professional scientific literature it is now closed. The question in the OP has been answered, and the restrictions that you wish to apply are inappropriate, unjustified, and unclear.
 
  • Like
Likes vanhees71, robphy and weirdoguy
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #62
Enrico said:
I don't feel comfortable by pointing to the real physical object. If we want to do maths
Adding one additional note: we're not doing math here. We're doing physics. Relativity is physics, not math. To be doing physics and yet not feel comfortable pointing to real physical objects does not make sense.
 
  • Like
Likes vanhees71 and Dale

Similar threads

  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
4K
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
6K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K