I Why Is Minkowski Spacetime Non-Euclidean?

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Minkowski spacetime is considered non-Euclidean because its geometry, defined by the metric ds² = -dt² + dx² + dy² + dz², fundamentally differs from Euclidean space. Empirical evidence supports this non-Euclidean nature, as it aligns with observed behaviors in the universe. The discussion highlights the challenge of conceptualizing Minkowski spacetime, as its metric is not easily representable in human imagination. Participants express interest in personal interpretations of what non-Euclidean spacetime means and how it can be visualized. Ultimately, understanding Minkowski spacetime requires grappling with its unique geometric properties and their implications in physics.
  • #61
PeroK said:
What is valid is that, for a fixed ##c##, as ##v \to 0## then the LT does tend to the Galilean transformation.

If you mean ## \lim_{v \rightarrow 0}{}##, then you get only a special case of the GT :smile:

## \lim_{v \rightarrow 0}{(\gamma (x-vt))} = x-0 \cdot t = x, \ \ \ \ \ ## ## \lim_{v \rightarrow 0}{(\gamma (t-vx/c^2))} = t##
 
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  • #62
Sagittarius A-Star said:
If you mean ## \lim_{v \rightarrow 0}{}##, then you get only a special case of the GT :smile:

## \lim_{v \rightarrow 0}{(\gamma (x-vt))} = x-0 \cdot t = x, \ \ \ \ \ ## ## \lim_{v \rightarrow 0}{(\gamma (t-vx/c^2))} = t##
You're missing the point. If ##v## is small, then ##\gamma \approx 1##. And you can study a subset of SR where ##v## is small and you have approximately the Galilean transformation.

If ##c## is large, then not all gamma factors are approximately ##1##. You don't have an approximation to Galilean relativity.
 
  • #63
PeroK said:
If ##v## is small, then ##\gamma \approx 1##. And you can study a subset of SR where ##v## is small and you have approximately the Galilean transformation.
That's correct, except if the ##x## in ##\gamma (t-vx/c^2)## is very large, as @PAllen mentioned in #50.
 
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  • #64
PAllen said:
as c is taken to approach infinity, the error of any observation compared to Galilean approaches zero
This is really the scientifically important fact. For SR to be a valid theory the differences between it and Galilean relativity must be smaller than the experimental uncertainty in any domain where Galilean relativity has been experimentally validated. You can express that requirement with several different limits, but the important fact is that in any of those limits the difference must approach zero.
 
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