What qualities does time have other than linearity, motion, and speed?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of time, emphasizing its qualities beyond linearity, motion, and speed. Participants agree that time is measurable, with accurate clocks providing a consistent measure of elapsed time. The conversation highlights the cause-effect directionality of time and its relationship with the speed of light. A key takeaway is that time is fundamentally defined as "what a clock measures," aligning with Einstein's perspective, and any further exploration of time's qualities requires precise definitions.

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  • Understanding of classical physics concepts
  • Familiarity with Einstein's theories on time and space
  • Knowledge of measurement tools such as clocks
  • Basic grasp of cause-effect relationships in physics
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  • Research Einstein's theory of relativity and its implications on time measurement
  • Explore the philosophical implications of time as an illusion
  • Study the relationship between time and the speed of light in physics
  • Investigate the concept of time in different scientific disciplines, such as quantum mechanics
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Students of physics, philosophers exploring the nature of time, and anyone interested in the scientific measurement and conceptualization of time.

atlanticus
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TL;DR
It can be something simple.
For example, things are caused by things, things move or don't move, there are big movements and small movements.
 
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It's tied to the speed of light - so, in that sense, it "has speed".
It has an apparent cause-effect directionality.
You can use a clock to measure it. And in this classical Physics forum, two accurate clocks will agree with the amount of time that has elapsed.

Why do you ask?
 
.Scott said:
It's tied to the speed of light - so, in that sense, it "has speed".
It has an apparent cause-effect directionality.
You can use a clock to measure it. And in this classical Physics forum, two accurate clocks will agree with the amount of time that has elapsed.

Why do you ask?
Thank you, I saw online a riddle that said time has seven components. I'm trying to figure out the last part. Is there something that time isn't hindered or affected by or vice versa?
 
Our passage through time goes unhindered. Unless you're Phil the weatherman, you can't stop and redo today over and over.

I would guess that if anyone has a notion of "seven components" of time, they are very human-centric components and are unrelated to the way Physics treats time.
 
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Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
 
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atlanticus said:
TL;DR Summary: It can be something simple.
There's no sensible answer to your question until you have defined what you mean by the word "time".
This being a physics forum where we discuss measurable quantities and the math that describes their behavior, it might be best to go with Einstein's definition: "Time is what a clock measures".

This definition is easiest to appreciate when we compare it with the analogous definition of distance: "distance is what a ruler measures" and is far more profound than it appears at first glance. And once you understand it you will be able your question for yourself.
 
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atlanticus said:

What qualities does time have other than linearity, motion, and speed?​

Huh? What do you mean by "motion" of time? Time always moves forward (locally) at one second per second. I guess you could call that either motion or speed or both. Did you mean something else? It is linear in that time is always towards the future although I have a hard time calling that "linear".
 
Thread is closed temporarily for Moderation...
 
After a Mentor discussion, this thread will remain closed. The question amounts to pseudo-psychology, which we are not equipped to address at PF.
 
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