In Newton’s classical physics, space and time are treated as absolute, independent quantities and can be discussed separately. In Special Relativity, Einstein proved that space and time are relative and dependent and therefore must not be treated separately. Minkowski adopted four-dimensional space-time frames (4-d s-t frames), which indirectly revealed the dependency of space and time with the addition of a constraint for an event interval. We are not able to visualize 4-d s-t frames. Since space and time are inseparable, three-dimensional space-time frames (3-d s-t frames) can be constructed by embedding time into space to directly show the interdependency of space and time. Time contraction and length contraction can also be depicted graphically using 3-d s-t frames. We have much better understanding reality of space and time in 3-d s-t frames. This will lead to Contextual Reality for better understanding the universe.
In order to describe the position of a static object in space, Descartes constructed three axes (x, y, z) perpendicular to one another and used the (x, y, z) coordinate to represent the position of this static object along x-axis, y-axis, and x-axis. The coordinate system is called the Cartesian frame. The properties of algebraic functions can be depicted in the Cartesian frame. It led to calculus, which is foundation of analytical mathematics.
In order to describe the position of a moving object, Galileo constructed a time axis which is perpendicular to each of the three special axes, and used the (x, t), (y, t), and (z, t) coordinate frame to represent the position of this moving object along x-axis, y-axis, and x-axis. Coordinates of this kind are called Galileanframes. It led to the Galileo transformation, which is foundation of Newton’s classical physics.
In order to describe the position of a moving object in Special Relativity, Minkowski constructed a time axis, ct, which is simultaneously perpendicular to the three special axes, where c represents the speed of light In order to achieve this, he first treated space and time independently by representing them as separate (x, t), (y, t), and (z, t) coordinate frames, then made space and time dependent with the addition of the following constraint: x2 + y2 + z2 − (ct)2 = const. He use this (ct, x, y, z) coordinate frame to represent the position of objects moving along x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. Coordinates of this kind are called Minkowski’s four-dimensional space-time frames (4-d s-t frames), which cannot be visualized. In Special Relativity, Einstein derived the Lorentz transformation, time dilation, and length contraction, which can be drawn in 4-d s-t inertial frames, but the graph is very complicated [
The following are quotes from the book The Trouble with Physics authored by Lee Smolin in 2006. “More and more, I have the feeling that quantum theory and general relativity are both deeply wrong about the nature of time. Descartes and Galileo made a most wonderful discovery. In this way, time is represented as if it were another dimension of space. This spatialization of time is useful but may be challenged. We have to find a way to unfreeze time -- to represent time without turning it into space.” We believe that the use of three-dimensional space-time frames (3-d s-t frames)is a potential means to address this issue regarding the representation of time.
In order to describe the position of a moving object in Special Relativity, we construct polar coordinates on the x − y plane, y − z plane, and z − x plane to represent time. The unit for the radius of polar coordinate is light-sec or period T, and the unit for x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in space is light-sec or wavelength
The line separating modern physics and classical physics is Special Relativity. In classical physics, space and time are absolute and independent. For example in classical physics, if a table is 3 meters in length, it is an absolute 3 meters, and
its length has nothing to do with where and when the table is measured. In classical physics, if an hourglass take 15 minutes to empty, it is an absolute 15 minutes, and the time it takes for the sand to empty has nothing to do with where and when this emptying takes place. In modern physics, however, Einstein developed Special Relativity which showed that space and time are not absolute and are not independent, and measurements of length and time will not necessarily be the same for different observers. What is reality of length for the table? What is reality of time for the period of the event?
In Einstein’s famous thought experiment: Einstein placed two photon guns in the middle of a car, one pointed towards the front wall and the other one pointing to the rear wall. The car moves with velocity u relative to observers, who remain stationary on a platform. As the car passes observers on the platform both guns are fired at the same time. The speed of the photons is the speed limit for all particles in the universe, which is the speed of lightand measured to be
Classical physics tells us, the simultineity of two events is absolute, so time and space are independent for observers on a pair of inertial frames [
In a slightly modified version of Einstein’s thought experiment, the photon is shot from the floor of the car on a moving train, directly vertical towards the ceiling (see in
From the time the photon leaves the gun on the floor until the time it reaches the ceiling, the distance traveled by the train is x, as measured by observers on the platform. r, x, and h form three sides of a right triangle, utilizing the Pythagorean theorem:
Substituting ct’ for h, ct for r, and ut for x and taking out the common factor t squared on the right side of the equation, yields the following:
because u is always less than c, the factor
1, which means that the time measured by observers on the train t must less than the time measured by observers on the platform [
We continue our discussion of the above thought experiment, by multiplying both sides of the time contraction formula by u, which yields the following equation:
The distance measured by observers on the train is ut' and the distance measured by observers on the platform is ut, as shown in
And using the previous example, where the speed of the train is 0.6 c and the train travel time of 25 sec (relative to the platform), the train travels a distance of
One interesting example to consider: if the speed the train is equal to the speed of light. No matter how much time, t, has passed or how much distance, x, the train has traveled relative to an observer on the platform, time for observers on the train
is measured to be zero and distance for observers on the train
is measured to be zero. It shows that if we are able travel on the train (UFO) moving with the velocity of light, c, then we are able to reach anyplace with zero time and zero distance [
The Current Standard Model of the Universe based on the 4-d s-t frame asserts that the universe was generated from a single Big Bang event followed by inflation. There is no center to this universe, hence, no preferential reference frame to describe the motions of celestial objects. We propose a new Shell Model of the Universe based on the 3-d s-t frame, which contends that the universe was created from multiple, concentric big bangs. Accordingly, that origin presents itself as a unique, preferential reference frame, which furnishes the simplest description of the motions of galaxies in the cosmos. This is similar in manner to how planetary motion is more straightforwardly described via a sun-centered Solar System rather than an earth-centered one [
This Shell Model based on the 3-d s-t frame has been used to analyze the quasar paradox, the variability in Hubble’s Constant, the accelerated expansion of the universe (attributed to dark energy by some), and stars located at the edge of a spiral galaxy moving with unexpected high velocity (attributed to dark matter by some) [
The Shell Model asserts that Hubble’s “constant” varies because galaxies may reside on different shells and that redshift is not the right method to calculate distance [
The origin of multiple big bangs presents itself as a unique, preferential reference frame, which furnishes the simplest description of the motions of galaxies in the cosmos. This is similar in manner to how planetary motion is more straight forwardly described via a sun-centered Solar System rather than an earth-centered one. All hidden factors behind strangemotions of galaxies, which cannot be explained in the Current Standard Model of the Universe based on the 4-d s-t frame, will disappear in the Shell Model of the Universe based on the 3-d s-t frame.
When the motion of a micro quantum is described by emitting photons without being able to see the point of contact, the probabilities of two uncertain measurements (due to the rotation of a quantum and the wavelength a photon wave) are unavoidable. The Heisenberg uncertainty relation is proved by simply multiplying two wavelengths; the wavelength of a quantum matter wave and the wavelength of a photon wave [
No matter how far away two particles are separated. If there is an interaction between these two particles by the medium (train) traveling with the velocity of light, then the medium affect two particles instantly. If the speed the medium is equal to the speed of light, no matter how much time, t, has passed or how much distance, x, the medium has traveled relative to an observer on the platform, time, t', for observers on the train is measured to be zero from Equation (5) and distance for observers on the train x', is measured to be zero from Equation (6). Although observers on the platform (two particles) find the affection taking time, but for observers on the medium (train) find affection instantly [
All physical quantities are based on three fundamental concepts: distance, time, and mass. The three fundamental quantities are measured in terms of the three basic units of measure, which in the International System of units are: meter, second, and kilogram. The International System, or the SI system, is often referred to as the metric system. Human interactions, in industry and commerce among others, depend on measuring devices based on these units adopted in 1946 [
In the National Physics Laboratory in Great Britain, the definitions of the three fundamental standard units are: In 1975, the speed of light, c, was known to be the fixed numerical value 299,792,458 m/sec. The meter is the length of the path traveled by light in a vacuum during a time interval of 1/299,792,458 of a second [
We suggest that the second is redefined in International System of Units (SI) as the time period of the event of the light travelled 299,792,458 m in vacuum, because of
(299,792,458 m)/(299,792,458 m/sec) = 1 sec.
Because of
define
equal to
0.032612255 m in order to make the ratio of
The kilogram in International System of Units is defined as the unit of mass; it is equal to the mass of the international prototype of the kilogram. Actually, it also is operational definition by equally gravitational force on the object and the international prototype from the balance of the scale.
It is a misconception to believe time and space possessing innate essentials. The reality is that without movement, we would not be able to measure the time elapsed or the distance traveled. If we want to discuss time and space, we cannot mention them separately and must not forget to acknowledge the events/phe- nomena/context that produced these attributes. We believe that velocity is much more fundamental than time and length, which are defined by velocity. Space and time are operational definitions by choosing velocity of light as fundamental quantity.
We can also show that force is much more fundamental than mass, which is defined by gravitational force or inertial force [
Three-dimensional space-time frames (3-d s-t frames)are better suited to describing the motion of a particle in Special Relativity than Galilean frames and Minkowski’s frames. 3-d s-t frames provide an alternate framework for interpreting astronomical phenomena and quantum mechanics and may yield other potentially meaningful insights when applied to other areas of study.
The construction of 3-d s-t frames is based on a photon with the velocity of light, c and a pair of inertial frames with the relative velocity, u. From
we are able to derive the time contraction formula,
contraction formula
The previous discussion helps us define operational definitions of distance and period of time traveled by the train from c and u as fundamental quantities. Using 3-d s-t frames, the reality of space and time is understood through a photon with the velocity of light, c, and a pair if inertial frames with relative velocity, u. In addition, mass is defined as operational definition by fundamental quantity force. It means that we are able to understand reality of mass through fundamental quantity force.
From this discussion concerning space, time, and mass, we induce the following statement of Contextual Reality [
We should try to reconstruct theories of physics by searching for fundamental events (phenomena) instead of searching for fundamental objects. Objects do not possess innate essentials; the attributes are derived through the events by which the object is examined. Using this approach may lead to a better understanding of the reality of the universe.
The statement of Contextual Reality and also be applied to our awareness of others. For example, if we must label an individual as being “bad tempered”, it is important to provide the particular context in which that individual displayed that attribute. While an individual may display a “bad temper” during frequent events/occurrences, that individual still does not possess that innate essentials absolutely. Remembering that a statement concerning an individual’s qualities should always be accompanied with context helps turn our judgment into understanding.
Chen, T. and Chen, Z. (2017) Reality of Space and Time. Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics, 5, 774-784. https://doi.org/10.4236/jamp.2017.54066