Question on Time | Hierarchy of Space & Time

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In summary, John is questioning the hierarchy between the four dimensions in the visible universe - three space dimensions and one time dimension. He believes that time is not on equal footing with space because it is a function of physical dimensions, while space cannot be described by time. He wonders if time is a function of anything else besides gravity. He also suggests reading an article on spacetime for more information.
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nuke24
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Hi, not anything close to a physicist, but was interested in a question:

There are four dimentions in the visible universe - three space and one time dimention.
Is there any hierachy between the space and time dimentions?

To me space and time do not seem to be on an equal footing becase the physical dimentions are a function of time (for example a change in distance is proportional to time) but time is obviously not a function of itself.

If that makes any sense to anyone, then what is time a function of? I don't see anything other than gravity myself. Gravity is a function of mass, and that being a somewhat unexplained phenomenon fundamentally you get stuck there... ... That was a bit of a rant, but just wondering about the hierachy thing - I just can't see them as equals because time can describe aspects of space, but not the other way round.
 
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Try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime" wonderful article.

--John
 
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FAQ: Question on Time | Hierarchy of Space & Time

What is the hierarchy of space and time?

The hierarchy of space and time is a concept in physics that explains the relationship between space and time on different scales. It suggests that space and time are not independent of each other, but rather intertwined and affect each other's behavior. It is also referred to as the fabric of space-time.

How does the hierarchy of space and time affect our daily lives?

The hierarchy of space and time may seem like a complex scientific concept, but it has practical implications in our daily lives. For example, it explains the phenomenon of time dilation, where time slows down for objects in motion relative to an observer. This is important for GPS technology, which requires precise time measurements to function accurately.

What is the relationship between space and time in the hierarchy?

In the hierarchy of space and time, space and time are interdependent and affect each other's behavior. This means that changes in space can affect the passage of time, and vice versa. For instance, the presence of a massive object, such as a black hole, can cause a distortion in space-time, affecting the movement of objects and the passage of time.

How does the hierarchy of space and time relate to Einstein's theory of relativity?

Einstein's theory of relativity is a cornerstone of the hierarchy of space and time. It explains how space and time are relative concepts and how they are affected by the presence of massive objects. The theory also predicts the phenomenon of time dilation and has been extensively tested and confirmed through various experiments.

Are there any unanswered questions about the hierarchy of space and time?

While the hierarchy of space and time is a well-established concept, there are still many unanswered questions. For example, scientists are still trying to understand the role of gravity in the hierarchy and how it affects the behavior of space and time. There are also ongoing debates about the exact nature of space-time and whether it is continuous or made up of discrete units.

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