MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: Does 'TIME' exist or is it an illusion?

Date: Tue Feb 20 14:07:04 2001
Posted By: Erika Gibb, Grad student, Physics & Astronomy/Origins of Life, RPI
Area of science: Physics
ID: 982283440.Ph
Message:

Mike,

In order to describe an object's placement in the Universe, you need not only three spatial dimensions, but another dimension -- time. As you pointed out, this is because objects in the Universe are not static. They move. The only way this change can be described is if the Universe is described by the 4-dimensional continuum called "spacetime," which was described by Einstein's Theory of General Relativity in 1915. Space and time are intimately related, though in our daily experience, they seem to be separate. This is because effects like time dilation (where time seems to slow in a moving frame compared to the reference frame of an observer) only become apparent at high spacial velocities. However, careful measurements have proven repeatedly that Einstein's Theories of Special and General Relativity are successful at describing the Universe.

Another way to look at it is that all scientific theories are based on observation. Scientists make measurements and propose a theory which is testable and can explain the observations. Time is a quantity which can be measured, and theories can describe our observations, therefore time is real in that sense. Hawking discusses spacetime and other issues in "A Brief History of Time" or you can read his lectures which are on his official web site at http://www.hawking.org.uk/home/hindex.html

There is an interesting article about time in The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy at http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/t/time.htm

On the issue of now vs then, I would like to point out that in your frame of reference, you are always "here" "now" but I don't think anybody would deny that space exists, even though you always describe your place in space as "here." The wording involved is an issue of philosophy, but does not change the fundamental quantity of spacetime that is needed for theories which explain phenomena in the Universe.

I hope my explanation has helped!

Erika


Current Queue | Current Queue for Physics | Physics archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics.



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@www.madsci.org
© 1995-2001. All rights reserved.