Is Time Relative or Absolute in Spacetime?

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In summary, the consequences of Background dependancy in Cosmological Horizon modelling include the concept of time as a temporal dimension of spacetime being at right angles to the 3 spatial dimensions, the understanding that movement through time also involves movement through space, and the idea that time dilation is an illusion caused by one spatial dimension being stretched relative to the temporal dimension. Additionally, the concepts of true time and relative time are discussed, with true time being absolute and unchanging within spacetime while relative time is variable between observers in relative motion. The statement about there being no unmoving mass in spacetime is also examined, with the understanding that in both Einstein's and Galileo's relativity, it is possible to define oneself as being stationary by center
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Olias
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What are the consequences for Background dependancy in Cosmological Horizon modelling?
 
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time is a temporal dimension of spacetime at right angles to the 3 spatial dimensions of spacetime

if you move through time, you also move through space

so you can't do one without the other


time dilation is an illusion caused by one spatial dimension being stretched
(for the observer) relative to the temporal dimension which remains unstretched
 
  • #3
1) In your rest frame you are standing still, and moving through time, but not through space. Of course other intertial observers see it differently. They see you as moving through both time and space.

2) Time and space dilation through the Lorentz transformations are not illusions for two reasons: first because there is no unversal frame in which the "true" situation could be described, so all we ever have is the relative situation in which the dilations apply, and secondly because the dilations make real physics happen (e.g. the extended lifetime of the cosmic ray muon).
 
  • #4
in reality there is no such thing as an unmoving mass in spacetime

the Earth and everything on it is moving at 30000 m/s around the sun

the sun and all it's planets are moving around a spiral galaxy


true time (within spacetime) is absolute and unchanging - whilst relative time is variable only between observers in relative motion
 
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  • #5
energia said:
in reality there is no such thing as an unmoving mass in spacetime
In both Einstein's and Galileo's relativity, you are allowed to define yourself as being stationary by centering a reference frame around yourself.
true time (within spacetime) is absolute and unchanging - whilst relative time is variable only between observers in relative motion
How or in what frame do you measure "true time" and doesn't this statement (about motion or lack thereof) contradict your first?
 

FAQ: Is Time Relative or Absolute in Spacetime?

What is the concept of time being location dependent?

The concept of time being location dependent refers to the idea that the passage of time can be influenced by the location or movement of an object or observer. This means that time can appear to pass at different rates depending on the relative position and velocity of the object or observer.

How is the theory of relativity related to the idea of time being location dependent?

The theory of relativity, proposed by Albert Einstein, explains how time is relative and can be affected by factors such as gravity and velocity. This theory supports the concept of time being location dependent, as it suggests that time can be experienced differently depending on the observer's frame of reference or location in space.

What is an example of time being location dependent?

An example of time being location dependent is the phenomenon of time dilation. This occurs when an object or observer is moving at high speeds, causing time to pass slower for them compared to someone who is stationary. This has been observed in experiments with atomic clocks on airplanes and satellites.

Can time be influenced by location on a smaller scale, such as on Earth?

Yes, time can be influenced by location on a smaller scale as well. This is known as gravitational time dilation and is caused by the difference in gravitational pull at different locations on Earth. This means that time can pass at a slightly different rate for someone living at sea level compared to someone living at a higher altitude.

How does the concept of time being location dependent impact our daily lives?

The concept of time being location dependent has practical implications in our daily lives, particularly in areas such as GPS technology and satellite communication. It also has implications in fields such as space travel and astronomy, where precise measurements of time are crucial for accurate calculations and predictions.

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