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EM radiation seems like a wave traveling through spacetime so, why isn't spacetime the same as ether?
Ether and spacetime are two different concepts in physics. Ether was a hypothesized substance that was believed to permeate all of space and act as the medium through which light waves travel. However, the concept of ether was disproven by the famous Michelson-Morley experiment in the late 19th century. Spacetime, on the other hand, is a concept that combines the dimensions of space and time into a single four-dimensional continuum, as described by Einstein's theory of general relativity. Therefore, ether and spacetime are not equivalent and cannot be equated.
The Michelson-Morley experiment, along with other subsequent experiments, showed that the speed of light is constant and does not require a medium like ether to propagate through. This contradicted the previous belief that light waves needed a medium to travel through, supporting the idea that ether does not exist. Additionally, Einstein's theory of general relativity provides a mathematical framework for understanding the relationship between space and time, further disproving the concept of ether.
No, ether and spacetime cannot coexist. The concept of ether is incompatible with the theory of general relativity, which has been extensively tested and confirmed through various experiments. In order for ether to exist, it would have to be able to interact with the matter in the universe, which would violate the principles of general relativity. Therefore, ether and spacetime cannot coexist as they are fundamentally different concepts.
While the idea of ether was largely abandoned by the scientific community after the Michelson-Morley experiment, some physicists continued to explore the concept and develop new theories incorporating ether. However, these theories have not been widely accepted and the concept of ether is no longer a significant part of mainstream physics.
No, there is no modern-day equivalent of ether in physics. The concept of ether was developed to explain the propagation of light waves, but our understanding of light has evolved and we no longer need a medium like ether to explain its behavior. Theories like quantum field theory and general relativity provide a more comprehensive understanding of the universe without the need for a substance like ether.