2006-11-22 10:49:14 · 7 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
No, it's an independant variable (in the sense that it's not a linear combination of other variables such as length, mass, or charge) and, since it's linearly independant, it can be used as a dimension (or one of the spanning vectors) in a vector space.
Doug
2006-11-22 10:55:06 · answer #1 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Space-time is a four dimensional system - meaning that to identify an event, you require four units - three lengths and a time. For example, two planes collided 1 mile north, 3 miles west, and 1/2 mile up in the air, about 10 minutes ago.
Time has units (with the standard unit being the 'second'). So it's not a 'scalar quantity', it has a dimension (unlike, for example, the number 'pi', which has no units).
2006-11-22 19:12:39 · answer #2 · answered by Polymath 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Neither dimension nor scalar quantity. Time is refered as "relativity".
2006-11-22 19:28:22 · answer #3 · answered by BBTech 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In pre-relativistic physics, time was just labeling system to describe different states of system, assuming that it flows at uniform rate! Depending on choice from which you have started recording it, makes a given time positive or negative.
It is given the state of an independent dimension of space-time in relativistic physics to accommodate the constancy of velocity of light in all frames of reference or to preserve the invariance of Maxwells' equation.
Story of time is similar to that of temperature. We intuitively knew temperature, even we were able to measure it. But then we formally understood/postulated in the framework of thermodynamics through Zeroth law of thermodynamics. and then finally we could find what is absolute zero and what is the meaning of negative temperature which becomes completely hypothetical something beyond infinite temperature.
Similarly we took time and its measurement granted by our common sense and missed a point that for measuring time we required some device which changed its state at a constant rate. It was just begging a question, because what will measure time for this device? Velocity of light, c, the dubious constant in Maxwell's equations provided an universal clock with which to compare the local clock. and time as such acquired the status of a dimension. Still its reversibility remained sacrosanct. It is the second law of thermodynamics and approach of macroscopic systems to equilibrium gave it a preferred direction called the arrow of time or of entropy of the universe.
2006-11-22 19:22:41 · answer #4 · answered by Let'slearntothink 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vectors have to do with our definition of space. Since time seems to be linear, I suppose it is a scalar.
2006-11-22 19:23:13 · answer #5 · answered by Roman Soldier 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
dimension
2006-11-22 18:56:15 · answer #6 · answered by todd s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
always remeber this... i got this quote off my favorite show avatar the last airbender... ''time is just an ilusion, and what funny invisable strings connect us all''
2006-11-22 19:11:25 · answer #7 · answered by Kaitlin B 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋