2007-07-09 05:22:17 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
If an object has length, width, but zero height, it does not exist, it must have 3 dimensions. However, it must also have duration. If a object has length, width, height but no duration, it can't exist.
From this perspective, the time dimension is the same as the spatial dimensions.
2007-07-09 05:31:14 · answer #1 · answered by Zefram 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Time is not a vector; the other three dimensions are unit vectors. Time, as we measure it, is simply a scalar. We cannot go backward in time...only forward. [NB: Time travel into the past is strictly scifi stuff...for example, there is no proof that worm holes exist let alone can be used to travel into the past as some WAGs (e.g., string theory) propose.]
As unit vectors, we can physically travel in any of six spatial directions (e.g., up-down, left-right, forward-backward). Or we can just sit there at a given point in space.
Time is monotonically increasing; it accumulates, but does not decrement. In fact, it does not stand still either. So, as we sit there in space, time marches on. Which is another differential; we can sit still in space, but not in time.
At relativistic velocities, both the spatial dimensions and time are affected as far as an outside observer is concerned. At near light speed, time would slow and the fore-aft dimension of a space ship would shrink from the point of view of someone watching this ship from Earth for example.
2007-07-09 13:08:11 · answer #2 · answered by oldprof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main difference as in Physics :
The Space dimensions are all dependent on Time whereas the contrary is not true.
( Regarding the comments on Negative time - my observation is : we are inside a knowledge - egg which is expanding with time - to try and define it or pass a resolution is not logical as also to say there is nothing outside the egg :)
Philosophically :
Time is one of the basic component of human mind - along with knowledge and thought. as gathering knowledge requires time - we learn over a period of time. Even to know your loved one you require time. Time is also there in our psychological existence like i am an executive today - i want to be a manager , i love this girl and want to marry her, i have a bike but i will drive a car - and we think time will help us to attain these positions... all our desires, greed, expectations, assumptions, ambitions are time dependent.
Time contributes a lot to the physics, human psychology - and we require more of it to properly realize its importance - even the existence of universe and all its constituents are measured and dependent on the dimension of time !
Sometimes I think that while other dimensions are linear and time dependent - time itself is not linear and exists in different dimensions for different worlds and may run parallel - independent of each other...
2007-07-09 14:11:20 · answer #3 · answered by The Sparrow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you know, we have 3 dimensions of space (height, width, and depth) and 1 dimension of time.
They differ in that without the time domain, the space would be stationary and static, similar to that of reaching absolute zero.
The time domain is harder to mangle than space, only really getting messed up when huge amounts of gravity and speed are added (like a spaceship going lightspeed, and a black hole).
2007-07-09 12:31:50 · answer #4 · answered by devinthedragon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main difference between the temporal dimension and the established spatial dimensions is that , so far , we cannot move freely within it, being constrained to move from second to second at constant velocity and forced onward by times' (perceived) arrow...
2007-07-09 12:43:12 · answer #5 · answered by thelongview 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the time dimension you move back and forward through time but stay in the same space.
In the space dimension you move to different parts of space but stay in the same time frame.
2007-07-09 12:35:19 · answer #6 · answered by malcolm g 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
TIME IS CONSIDERED AS THE FOURTH DIMENSION IN THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY.
SPACE DIMENSION CONSTITUTES THE OTHER 3
2007-07-09 12:54:38 · answer #7 · answered by goldie B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The 'rate' at which time passes is determined by your mind, if time speeds up so does your mind. Imagine travelling at the speed of light, time stands still, you wont know anything until you slow down (which can only happen when you crash since neither you or a computer could fire retros without time).
2007-07-09 12:40:29 · answer #8 · answered by Ben P 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The time dimension is louder cause it goes tick tock tick tock.
2007-07-09 12:27:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
relativistically, time is different because of a negative sign in the interval.
In cartesian coordinates in flat space:
interval^2 = dt^2 - dx^2 - dy^2 - dz^2
You could derive from this invariant quantity all the practical things that make time different from space.
2007-07-09 12:33:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋