What is the present, how long does it last?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of the "present moment" as understood through the lenses of relativity and quantum physics. Participants highlight that the term "present" may not align well with physical definitions, as it is often perceived as a point in time with zero duration, akin to a "point particle." The conversation also touches on the notion of Planck time, suggesting that if time is discrete, its quantum would likely be less than one Planck time, although this remains speculative. Ultimately, the consensus is that the question of the present moment is more philosophical than scientific, leading to the decision to lock the thread.

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  • Understanding of relativity theory
  • Familiarity with quantum physics concepts
  • Knowledge of Planck time and its significance
  • Basic grasp of philosophical implications in scientific discourse
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  • Research the implications of Planck time in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the philosophical perspectives on time and existence
  • Study the principles of Lorentz invariance in relativity
  • Investigate the concept of discretization in space-time theories
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Physicists, philosophers, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the intersection of time perception and theoretical physics.

lemd
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According to relative theory and quantum physics, what is the present moment? How long does it last?

What is the meaning of the present tense that human feel in the sense of quantum/ relative physics? Is that we are seeing the Plank time moment to moment?
 
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lemd said:
According to relative theory and quantum physics, what is the present moment? How long does it last?

What is the meaning of the present tense that human feel in the sense of quantum/ relative physics? Is that we are seeing the Plank time moment to moment?

I think "present" is a word in the English language that is not well suited to physics other than to say that it is a "point" in time (having zero duration) just like a "point particle" has no dimensions in space.

As to your question about "... Plank time moment to moment?" I'm not really sure how you mean that. We have no evidence one way or the other as to whether or not time is discrete and if it DOES turn out to be discrete, what the "quantum" of time might be. I've heard discussions saying that it certainly would be much less than one Plank time.
 
discretization of space-time is problematic because it violates Lorentz invariance.
 
lemd said:
According to relative theory and quantum physics, what is the present moment? How long does it last?

What is the meaning of the present tense that human feel in the sense of quantum/ relative physics? Is that we are seeing the Plank time moment to moment?

This is not a question that science attempts to answer. This question currently belongs in the realm of philosophy than actual physics. Thus I'm going to lock this thread.
 

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