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

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter atlanticus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics Time
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the qualities of time beyond its commonly recognized attributes of linearity, motion, and speed. Participants explore various conceptual and philosophical aspects of time, questioning its nature and measurement within the context of physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that time is associated with cause-effect directionality and can be measured using clocks, indicating a relationship with the speed of light.
  • One participant questions the notion of "seven components" of time, implying that such a classification may be overly human-centric and not aligned with physical definitions.
  • Another participant asserts that time is an illusion, adding a philosophical dimension to the discussion.
  • A participant emphasizes the need for a clear definition of "time" before addressing the original question, referencing Einstein's perspective that time is what a clock measures.
  • There is a challenge regarding the interpretation of "motion" of time, with a participant noting that time moves forward consistently at one second per second, questioning the classification of this as motion or speed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of time, with no consensus reached on its qualities beyond linearity, motion, and speed. The discussion remains unresolved, particularly regarding the philosophical implications of time.

Contextual Notes

The discussion touches on the limitations of defining time, with some participants indicating that the question may delve into areas outside the scope of physics, such as psychology.

atlanticus
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
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.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 
  • Like
  • Agree
Likes   Reactions: nasu and phinds
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
 
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: berkeman and SammyS
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.
 
  • Like
  • Agree
Likes   Reactions: Dale, Bystander, Doc Al and 1 other person
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.
 
  • Agree
Likes   Reactions: SammyS

Similar threads

High School What is the speed of "motion"?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
High School Traveling through space at zero km/s
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
885
High School Thought experiment: Beyond the slowest measurable speed?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Undergrad Determining a stationary point of reference to base all absolute motion
  • · Replies 57 ·
2
Replies
57
Views
3K
High School Intuition for time dilation in a cesium clock
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
5K
Undergrad What physics study path would help me answer my own hydraulics question?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
482
Undergrad Physics behind making a mango milk shake
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Is Time Defined by Relative Motion in SR and GR?
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K
High School Is Time Dilation About Particle Motion Rather Than Time Itself?
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
5K
Crazy idea for battle bot. Can it work?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K