Is Time a Fundamental Force in Physics?

In summary, the debate over whether time is a fundamental force in physics explores its role in the universe and how it interacts with space and matter. While time is often treated as a dimension in theories like relativity, some physicists argue it may not be fundamental but rather an emergent property arising from more basic physical processes. The discussion encompasses various interpretations, including the nature of time in quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, leading to ongoing inquiries into the essence of time and its implications for our understanding of reality.
  • #1
Jim Robison
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TL;DR Summary
Is time a Force, similar to gravity?
We all know the four fundamental forces in physics: gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces; and there is now some discussion about a fifth, more obscure force involving muons.

But I have a question; could the fifth force be something we deal with every day? Could it be one of the first things observed by a new-born babe, and one of the last wishes of a dying individual. Could the fifth force be time?

Like gravity, time is everywhere, and again, like gravity, it appears to only act in one direction. Time is also related to gravity in that time appears to slow down as gravity increases. Why should gravity be awarded the distinction of a major force in physics while time is not even considered a distant cousin?

Consider time as a force pushing the universe in one direction, slowing where gravity opposes it, but eventually getting its’ way. Surely, time must be recognized as one of the five forces in physics.
 
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  • #2
Jim Robison said:
Is time a Force, similar to gravity?
No. I don't think the concept even makes any sense.
 
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  • #3
Jim Robison said:
a fifth, more obscure force involving muons.
… Could the fifth force be time?
Obviously not. Time is neither obscure nor does it affect muons more than other matter.

Please review the forum rules before posting further. Personal speculation is not permitted here. If you want to understand the mainstream scientific concept of time or the recent data on muons, that is fine. But we will wait until there a scientific paper is published on the topic to discuss combining those ideas.
 
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  • #4
Sorry to be so confusing. My reference to muons was simply an introduction to the idea of a "fifth force. In retrospect, I should have left it out and just jumped directly into my question about time as a force. My sincere apologies to muon fans.
 
  • #5
phinds said:
No. I don't think the concept even makes any sense.
I cannot disagree with the logic of your argument.
 
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  • #6
Jim Robison said:
my question about time as a force
Time is not a force. The units are wrong, even in natural or geometrized units.

Time is the thing a clock measures. This is the usual physical concept of time, called proper time to distinguish it from coordinate time which is mathematical rather than physical.
 
  • #7
Jim Robison said:
Surely, time must be recognized as one of the five forces in physics.
My mass is hurtling through space and time. To speed up, or slow down my apparent rate of time, would require a force be applied in the time dimension. So, if anything, time is less like a force, time is more like a velocity.
 
  • #8
Your mass is not hurtling through space and time if time does not change. My question is: What is causing (forcing) time to change? What force caused yesterday to become today? What force will cause today to become tomorrow?
 
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  • #9
Jim Robison said:
What force caused yesterday to become today?
That is nonsense. Surely you know Newton’s 2nd law: ##\vec F =m\vec a##.

Neither yesterday nor today have mass. And yesterday becoming today is not acceleration. So with no mass and no acceleration, trying to infer that there must be a force is just plain silly.

Again, time is what a clock measures.
 
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  • #10
Jim Robison said:
TL;DR Summary: Is time a Force, similar to gravity?

Consider time as a force pushing the universe in one direction, slowing where gravity opposes it, but eventually getting its’ way. Surely, time must be recognized as one of the five forces in physics.
To paraphrase Newton slightly: "A force is that which causes or changes an acceleration." An object can easily move between x = 0 m and x = 1 m without a force being applied. It is only when it's velocity changes over that domain that we say there is a force acting on it.

As the "rate of time change" is constant in an observer's frame of reference, the "rate of time change" is not changing, so saying a force is acting to "move" an object from yesterday to today is incorrect.

-Dan
 
  • #11
Jim Robison said:
Your mass is not hurtling through space and time if time does not change.
A cheap clock mechanism might stop, but time continues to roll on by.
 
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  • #12
When I was a lad, they used to talk of "Time, the fourth dimension". Another of those names that don't follow consistent logic. I can see the appeal, though. All that's necessary is to ignore what we know so far, of Science
 
  • #13
Jim Robison said:
My question is: What is causing (forcing) time to change? What force caused yesterday to become today? What force will cause today to become tomorrow?
No force is required, just like no force is required for your position to change while you are in motion.
 
  • #14
"All irregularities will be handled by the forces controlling each dimension."
- Sorry, it had to be said.
- And yes, it is obscure old people humor.
 
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  • #15
Vanadium 50 said:
"All irregularities will be handled by the forces controlling each dimension."
- Sorry, it had to be said.
- And yes, it is obscure old people humor.
Sapphire and Steel. Wow! Haven't thought about that one in a while.

-Dan
 
  • #16
I think this is a good place to stop.
 
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FAQ: Is Time a Fundamental Force in Physics?

What is meant by "time" in the context of physics?

In physics, time is a dimension in which events occur in a sequence. It is often considered alongside the three spatial dimensions to form a four-dimensional spacetime continuum. Time allows for the measurement of durations and the sequencing of events, and it plays a crucial role in the laws of physics.

Is time considered a fundamental force in physics?

No, time is not considered a fundamental force in physics. The four fundamental forces are gravity, electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force. Time is a dimension, not a force; it serves as a parameter within which the forces and other physical phenomena operate.

How does time interact with the fundamental forces in physics?

Time interacts with the fundamental forces by providing a framework within which these forces act and evolve. For example, the effects of gravity, electromagnetism, and nuclear forces are observed and measured over time. The equations governing these forces, such as Newton's laws and Maxwell's equations, include time as a variable to describe how physical systems change.

What is the role of time in Einstein's theory of relativity?

In Einstein's theory of relativity, time is intertwined with space to form the four-dimensional spacetime continuum. Special relativity shows that time is relative and can vary depending on the speed of an observer. General relativity further demonstrates that time is affected by gravity, with stronger gravitational fields causing time to slow down, an effect known as time dilation.

Can time be considered a dimension rather than a force?

Yes, time is considered a dimension rather than a force. In the framework of spacetime, time is treated as the fourth dimension, complementing the three spatial dimensions. This conceptualization allows physicists to describe the location and progression of events in a unified manner, but it does not imply that time exerts a force on objects.

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