Theos-Talk Archives (November 2005 Message tt00021)

While science considers time as a numerical factor in determining the 
relationship between energy and matter throughout our space time continuum -- since 
the equation E=mc^2 depends on the velocity of light as a constant (which is 
measured as distance in meters divided by time in seconds) -- the "dimension" of 
time itself (which is simply a measure of change in arbitrary numerical 
terms, i.e., seconds) is not equivalent, physically, to the 3 directional 
dimensions of space itself. 

However. the problem here is that the word "dimension" is used in many 
contexts. For example, there are 3 vectorial (directional) dimensions of physical 
space; there are 7 fold dimensions of hyperspace in string physics (and also 
multiple dimensions in geometry as well as theosophy); And in Einstein's 
relativity view, time is used as a numerical factor in measuring the velocity of 
light, which, being a "direction of travel" must also be considered as a 
vectorial dimension. In another sense, as we approach the speed of light, both time 
(which slows down) and direction or length (which shortens) are mutually 
dependent and can be treated identically (as vectors) from a mathematical standpoint. 
Thus, Einsteinian space became described scientifically as a "four 
dimensional space-time continuum." For some more on resolving this confusion between 
"Time" and "Dimension", See: 
http://www.jimloy.com/physics/4d.htm
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/7997/whatis4d.html

Hope this helps,

Lenny



In a message dated 10/28/05 9:08:38 PM, waking.adept@gmail.com writes:


> Why do physicists keep listing time as a physical dimension?
> 
> I was just arguing this with a friend, and I can find absolutely no
> proof that it exists as a dimension (such as x, y, and z in 3-space).
> There only appear to be 3 physical dimensions, as well as various
> other ones.
> 
> I say this because:
> 1. Reactions can't occur through time. For instance, a gram of
> potassium will not react with itself through adjacent frames in time.
> 2. Time doesn't affect anything in the physical, and vise versa. All
> other dimensions interact with each other.
> 3. Time can only be perceived through the ever-changing states of
> matter in which we are subjected to.
> 
> -Mark H.
> 



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