Do we know how many meters long one second is?

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In summary, the length of the worldline of a particle at rest for 1 second can be approximated to be 3 times 10^8 meters, based on the conversion factor of time to length being the speed of light. However, the statement that we pass through time at the speed of light should not be taken too literally.
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TL;DR Summary
Do we know how many meters long one second is?
In other words, how many meters long is the world line of a particle at rest for 1 second?
 
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student34 said:
Summary:: Do we know how many meters long one second is?

In other words, how many meters long is the world line of a particle at rest for 1 second?
The conversion factor from time to length is the speed of light. For an object at rest in some IRF for proper/coordinate time ##t##, the worldline has length ##ct##.

If ##t = 1s##, then the length of the worldline is approximately ##3 \times 10^{8} \ m##.
 
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Possibly illuminating:
 
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I guess this means that we pass through time at the speed of light. Interesting.
 
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student34 said:
I guess this means that we pass through time at the speed of light.
While there is a sense in which this is true, it is a very limited sense and you can't really draw any useful inferences from it. We have had a number of previous PF threads dealing with the confusion caused by taking this statement too far.
 
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FAQ: Do we know how many meters long one second is?

How do we measure one second?

One second is typically measured using a stopwatch or a clock that displays seconds. In scientific experiments, a more precise measurement of one second can be achieved using an atomic clock.

Is one second a fixed unit of time?

Yes, one second is defined as a fixed unit of time in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the duration of 9,192,631,770 cycles of radiation from the transition between two energy levels of the cesium-133 atom.

Can the length of one second vary?

In theory, the length of one second can vary due to factors such as gravitational time dilation and the Earth's rotation. However, these variations are extremely small and are not noticeable in everyday life.

How does the length of one second relate to other units of time?

One second is the base unit of time in the SI system and is used to define other units of time such as minutes and hours. For example, one minute is equal to 60 seconds and one hour is equal to 3600 seconds.

Why is it important to know the length of one second?

Knowing the length of one second is crucial in many scientific fields, including physics, chemistry, and astronomy. It allows for precise measurements and calculations, which are essential for understanding the natural world and developing technologies.

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