As a consequence of the Lorentz transformations, time and space transform into each other when changing reference frame. This calls for a unified description: Minkowski spacetime.
16
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4answers
2k views
Einstein's postulates <==> Minkowski space. (In layman's terms)
What's the cleanest/quickest way to go between Einstein's postulates [1] of
Relativity: Physical laws are the same in all inertial reference frames.
Constant speed of light: "... light is always ...
30
votes
6answers
1k views
What is known about the topological structure of spacetime?
General relativity says that spacetime is a Lorentzian 4-manifold $M$ whose metric satisfies Einstein's field equations. I have two questions:
What topological restrictions do Einstein's equations ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Is reality discrete at the quantum level? (…and what does it imply not only mathematically?)
On a quantum scale the smallest unit is the Planck scale, which is a discrete measure.
There several question that come to mind:
Does that mean that particles can only live in a discrete grid-like ...
5
votes
4answers
843 views
Did spacetime start with the Big bang?
Did spacetime start with the Big Bang? I mean, was there any presence of this spacetime we are experiencing now before big bang? And could there be a presence/existence of any other space-time before ...
7
votes
3answers
729 views
Does the curvature of spacetime theory assume gravity?
Whenever I read about the curvature of spacetime as an explanation for gravity, I see pictures of a sheet (spacetime) with various masses indenting the sheet to form "gravity wells." Objects which are ...
26
votes
5answers
1k views
Is 3+1 spacetime as privileged as is claimed?
I've often heard the argument that having 3 spatial dimensions is very special. Such arguments are invariably based on certain assumptions that do not appear to be justifiable at all, at least to me. ...
8
votes
5answers
1k views
Why is gravitation force always attractive?
Why is the gravitation force always attractive? Is there a way to explain this other than the curvature of space time?
PS: If the simple answer to this question is that mass makes space-time curve ...
32
votes
5answers
2k views
Does Coulomb's Law, with Gauss's Law, imply the existence of only three spatial dimensions?
Coulomb's Law states that the fall-off of the strength of the electrostatic force is inversely proportional to the distance squared of the charges.
Gauss's law implies that a the total flux through a ...
11
votes
3answers
558 views
Swimming in Spacetime - apparent conserved quantity violation
My question is about the article Swimming in Spacetime.
My gut reaction on first reading it was "this violates conservation of momentum, doesn't it?". I now realize, however, that this doesn't allow ...
3
votes
1answer
658 views
Voyager local time dilation (caused by gravity)
Voyager I, as an example, taking account gravity
and setting aside effects of speed as cause of time dilation.
If it is very far away from earth and sun,
so then there must be a difference in the ...
73
votes
7answers
25k views
If you view the Earth from far enough away can you observe its past?
From my understanding of light, you are always looking into the past based on how much time it takes the light to reach you from what you are observing.
For example when you see a star burn out, if ...
15
votes
8answers
5k views
How exactly does curved space-time describe the force of gravity?
I understand that people explain (in layman's terms at least) that the presence of mass "warps" space-time geometry, and this causes gravity. I have also of course heard the analogy of a blanket or ...
9
votes
2answers
780 views
Invariant spacetime - distance - Circular Motion
I understand that the closer something travels to the speed of light, that time will stretch by a factor, and distance will compress by the same factor.
My question is, if something travels in a ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
What is our location relative to the Big Bang?
Given what we know about space, time and the movement of galaxies, have we or can we determine what our position is in relation to the projected location of the Big Bang? I've read some introductory ...
14
votes
1answer
656 views
How does classical GR concept of space-time emerge from string theory?
First, I'll state some background that lead me to the question.
I was thinking about quantization of space-time on and off for a long time but I never really looked into it any deeper (mainly because ...
3
votes
3answers
540 views
How could spacetime become discretised at the Planck scale?
I didn't have much luck getting a response to this question before so I have tried to reword and expand it a little:
In early 2010 I attended this inaugural lecture by string theorist- Prof. ...
8
votes
2answers
399 views
Is spacetime simply connected?
As I've stated in a prior question of mine, I am a mathematician with very little knowledge of Physics, and I ask here things I'm curious about/things that will help me learn.
This falls into the ...
12
votes
3answers
1k views
If the universe were compressed into a super massive black hole, how big would it be?
I understand only a little of general relativity, but that's why I'm here! :)
Consider the hypothetical situation of some extra-terrestrial intelligence pushing all the mass in the universe, every ...
9
votes
5answers
801 views
Hubble's law and conservation of energy
If all distances are constantly increasing, as Hubble's law say, then lots of potential energies of form ~$\frac{1}{r}$ changes, so how is the total energy of the Universe conserved with Hubble's ...
14
votes
2answers
485 views
Has the concept of non-integer $(n+m)$-dimensional spacetime ever been investigated by theoretical physicists?
The following image serves to aid the reader in understanding the "privileged character" of $3+1$-spacetime.
The wikipedia article on spacetime, and the sub-article "The priveleged character of ...
8
votes
3answers
820 views
Can spacetime be non-orientable?
This question asks what constraints there are on the global topology of spacetime from the Einstein equations. It seems to me the quotient of any global solution can in turn be a global solution. In ...
5
votes
4answers
619 views
Alternate layman's metaphors for illustrating curved space-time
The metaphor of a surface (typically a pool table or a trampoline) distorted by a massive object is commonly used as a metaphor for illustrating gravitationally induced space-time curvature. But as ...
8
votes
6answers
1k views
Experimental evidence of a fourth spatial dimension?
As human beings, we observe the world in which we live in three dimensions. However, it is certainly theoretically possible that more dimensions exist.
Is there any direct or indirect evidence ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Why does Venus rotate the opposite direction as other planets?
Given: Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum.
Reverse spinning with dense atmosphere (92 times > Earth & CO2 dominant sulphur based).
Surface same degree of aging all over.
Theoretical large ...
15
votes
7answers
1k views
Does Quantum Mechanics assume space and time are continuous?
I was confused when I was listening to a Quantum Mechanics lecture online. Are space and time assumed to be continuous or discrete in Quantum Mechanics?
I can see the question is vague, but this is ...
5
votes
1answer
339 views
Intuition for multiple temporal dimensions
It’s easy, relatively speaking, to develop an intuition for higher spatial dimensions, usually by induction on familiar lower-dimensional spaces. But I’m having difficulty envisioning a universe with ...
8
votes
1answer
525 views
Is String Theory formulated in flat or curved spacetime?
String Theory is formulated in 10 or 11 (or 26?) dimensions where it is assumed that all of the space dimensions except for 3 (large) space dimensions and 1 time dimension are a compact manifold with ...
8
votes
7answers
1k views
Why are extra dimensions necessary?
Some theories have more than 4 dimensions of spacetime. But we only observe 4 spacetime dimensions in the real world, cf. e.g. this Phys.SE post.
Why are the theories (e.g. string theory) that ...
12
votes
3answers
115 views
What is meant when it is said that the universe is homogeneous and isotropic?
It is sometimes said that the universe is homogeneous and isotropic. What is meant by each of these descriptions? Are they mutually exclusive, or does one require the other? And what implications rise ...
7
votes
3answers
489 views
Is anyone studying how the topology of space arises from more fundamental notions?
Stephen Wolfram in his book "A New Kind of Science" touches on a model of space itself based on automata theory. That it, he makes some suggestions about modelling not only the behaviour of matter ...
4
votes
2answers
309 views
Does String theory say that spacetime is not fundamental but should be considered an emergent phenomenon?
Does String theory say that spacetime is not fundamental but should be considered an emergent phenomenon?
If so, can quantum mechanics describe the universe at high energies where there is no ...
4
votes
5answers
528 views
What is the extent of the universe?
Is there any realistic, understandable, provable (even in some extent) explanation/model for the extent of the universe?
What is its shape? and Why? I mean physical explanations not philosophical ...
4
votes
2answers
337 views
Can a black hole be formed by radiation?
I'm trying to find out if black holes could be created by focusing enough light into a small enough volume.
So far I have found (any or all may be incorrect):
Maxwell's equations are linear, ...
2
votes
3answers
629 views
What are some approaches to discrete space-time used in modern physics?
This thought gave rise to some new questions in my mind.
What are the consequences for:
How would it affect duality i.e. particle, wave property of photons?
How does this statement affect the ...
0
votes
1answer
136 views
Multiverse theory and infinite individuals
I read an article about possibility of existence of multiverse and came up with a conflicting view with one of the sentences written in the article which goes as follows:
"If space-time goes on ...
4
votes
4answers
677 views
Measuring the speed of light and defining the metre - absolute or relative?
If the metre is now defined as the distance light travels in vacuum in 1⁄299,792,458th of a second and the speed of light is accepted to be ...
3
votes
2answers
126 views
How can I vizualize and understand curved spaces in general relativity?
I'm taking a basic physics class and the teacher described space with a special table that has curves and black holes etc. He would throw a metal ball down onto it and the class would watch it circle ...
3
votes
1answer
391 views
Is the Portal feasible in real life?
Firstly, I assume prior knowledge/experience with the game Portal.
Should it be possible that two openings (circles/unidentified-constructions) would work as interchangeable gates? With one opening ...
6
votes
5answers
361 views
More than one time dimension
We know that space-time dimensions are 3+1 macroscopically, but what if 2+2?
Obviously it is tough to imagine two time dimensions, but mathematically we can always imagine as either having two ...
6
votes
2answers
370 views
Some questions regarding $n+m$-dimensional spacetime [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Has the concept of non-integer $(n+m)$-dimensional spacetime ever been investigated by theoretical physicists?
The following image:
serves to aid the reader in ...
4
votes
4answers
962 views
Is spacetime discrete or continuous?
Is the spacetime continuous or discrete?
Or better, is the 4-dimensional spacetime of general-relativity discrete or continuous? What if we consider additional dimensions like string theory ...
4
votes
2answers
145 views
Plausible explanations for 3 local space dimensions
Every now and then I see accounts of models that claim to explain why we experience only 3 space dimensions (locally, i.e. within cosmic horizons and outside black hole horizons).
One such of course ...
4
votes
2answers
367 views
Why is time special?
In Special Relativity, the spacetime interval between two events is $s^2 = -(c{\Delta}t)^2+({\Delta}x)^2+({\Delta}y)^2+({\Delta}z)^2$ giving the Minkowski metric $\eta_{\mu\nu}=\text{diag}(-1, 1, 1, ...
3
votes
2answers
503 views
Do we live in a world with 4 or more dimension?
A NOVA show have told the audience that we are live in 3 dimensional world, the world we lived in is compose by 3 element: the energy, matter, space. By the time Einstein have invented the ...
2
votes
4answers
328 views
Reducing General Relativity to Special Relativity in limiting case
I understand that general relativity is applicable to gravitational fields and special relativity is applicable to case when there is no gravity. But is there a derivation on how to reduce General ...
9
votes
5answers
510 views
Is it possible for one black hole to pull an object out of another black hole?
Suppose we have a spacecraft just inside the event horizon of a black hole, struggling to escape, but slowly receding into it. Another (bigger) black hole expands until its event horizon includes the ...
4
votes
5answers
490 views
ALL “forces” as manifestations of properties of space-time
I apologize if this seems like a quack question, but I need some insights by those who know much more than me in Physics.
Anyway, the gravitational "force" (not really a force) is a manifestation of ...
4
votes
2answers
553 views
How do I develop an intuitive model of spacetime?
I am your nightmare poster - a layman trying to learn special relativity. (I'm also a refugee from stackoverflow.com: trust me, it's only going to get worse). Apologies in advance if my question is ...
4
votes
1answer
241 views
What are the current (popular(ish)) approaches to modelling the quantum nature of spacetime at the Planck scale?
My guess at a list of them would be: spin foams, casual sets, non-commutative geometry, Machian theories, twistor theory or strings and membranes existing in some higher-dimensional geometry...
...
3
votes
1answer
272 views
Does electric charge affect space time fabric?
I am confused with this question. Does electric charge affect the space time fabric? If so, why? Also if electric charge does not affect the space time fabric, how can we interpret the origin of the ...
