This first post (excluding the introductory post) concerns multiple dimensions of time and how one might experience them. (WARNING: equations here!)
Let's assume that time can be expressed as a kind of dimension.
Whenever one watches a sequence of x-ray cross-sections, the images appear to change as they move down the body. As they move along a specific direction, our 2D view changes to siut the 3D shape that is a human body.
Compare that with the diagram below.
Whenever one watches a sequence of x-ray cross-sections, the images appear to change as they move down the body. As they move along a specific direction, our 2D view changes to siut the 3D shape that is a human body.
Compare that with the diagram below.
The golden planes represent the screen that is our view of the cross-sections of an object in the shape of an oblique circular cylinder. As the screen moves along the arrow/vector, the images of the object is a circle on our screen, moving as it does so.
This is happening in 3D space (the screens themselves are 2D, but one must add the extra dimension of the arrow/vector representing movement).
We have assumed that time can be expressed as a dimension (as in general and special relativity). In order to relate the diagram to time, we must swap out one of our 3 spatial dimensions.
There is a difference between time dimensions and spatial dimensions. Time dimensions, in our visualisation, let objects move*. Spatial dimensions give these objects a space to move around in*
We can now tell the difference between time and space. But which dimension of space do we swap with a time dimension? Well, if the cross-sections appear to move on the screen, we'll convert our movement arrow/vector to an arrow of time.
Now the diagram paints a different picture. Instead of a stationary 3D oblique cylinder, we have a moving 2D circle. We can tell this because its position has changed over the course of time. We have established that one can visualise time as an arrow.
We experience our world in 3 spatial dimensions and 1 time dimension (there may be more dimensions, but this is only how we view the universe). Of course, to summarise that in a continuous graph requires four dimensions (a fourth spatial dimension standing in for our only observed time dimension) - making it extremely hard to imagine. But there is a solution to this (we can summarise changes by looking at a finite 3D space at different, discrete intervals of time) - see the diagram below.
This is happening in 3D space (the screens themselves are 2D, but one must add the extra dimension of the arrow/vector representing movement).
We have assumed that time can be expressed as a dimension (as in general and special relativity). In order to relate the diagram to time, we must swap out one of our 3 spatial dimensions.
There is a difference between time dimensions and spatial dimensions. Time dimensions, in our visualisation, let objects move*. Spatial dimensions give these objects a space to move around in*
We can now tell the difference between time and space. But which dimension of space do we swap with a time dimension? Well, if the cross-sections appear to move on the screen, we'll convert our movement arrow/vector to an arrow of time.
Now the diagram paints a different picture. Instead of a stationary 3D oblique cylinder, we have a moving 2D circle. We can tell this because its position has changed over the course of time. We have established that one can visualise time as an arrow.
We experience our world in 3 spatial dimensions and 1 time dimension (there may be more dimensions, but this is only how we view the universe). Of course, to summarise that in a continuous graph requires four dimensions (a fourth spatial dimension standing in for our only observed time dimension) - making it extremely hard to imagine. But there is a solution to this (we can summarise changes by looking at a finite 3D space at different, discrete intervals of time) - see the diagram below.
This is similar to the first diagram, but this time, the space is finite and 3D and the moving object is 3D.
This is how we visualise our own world (though space may be infinite). But what about multiple time dimensions?
There are two ways to imagine this.
One can use the graphical representation above and expand it.
This is how we visualise our own world (though space may be infinite). But what about multiple time dimensions?
There are two ways to imagine this.
One can use the graphical representation above and expand it.
Now, with two dimensions of time, we have many more possibilities - and many paths for an object to follow. Theoretically (according to the diagram), the object would be in multiple places at once - and in a steadily increasing number of places. This is, however, a discrete diagram - so if time is, like a dimension - continuous, then an object can exist in an infinite number of places. But there are questions: what governs which dimension of time it follows? It could follow one dimension of time and continue to appear as a single object. That, however, is ruled out by another concern; time doesn't stop as such - the object cannot move along one dimension of time if its movement along both time dimensions cannot cease. Therefore, unless gravity or some other force that warps only one dimension of time in one case is present, the object should remain in a single state. Even then, gravity usually works in all dimensions that it exists within, so would probably change the path of the object instead of splitting it.
Another way to look at it is as a movement. If space can move around in time, then how would it act if time were planar? The diagram below shows a possible path of time. The origin is at the centre of the golden plane.
Another way to look at it is as a movement. If space can move around in time, then how would it act if time were planar? The diagram below shows a possible path of time. The origin is at the centre of the golden plane.
Each black circle on the plane represents a finite piece of space (as can be inferred from the diagram).
The space's movement depends on the forces acting upon it. If there are no forces present, the space may take a random, meandering path or a completely straight path. Forces like gravitation may alter the path.
But what happens if, upon creation, a universe/piece of space moves in multiple paths, each splitting as it does so?
This could happen:
The space's movement depends on the forces acting upon it. If there are no forces present, the space may take a random, meandering path or a completely straight path. Forces like gravitation may alter the path.
But what happens if, upon creation, a universe/piece of space moves in multiple paths, each splitting as it does so?
This could happen:
But then again, space's movement could be a ripple in time...
...meaning that, perhaps, things can be in an infinite number of places at once.
This idea will be used in the next blog post. See you soon.
-Graviton
This idea will be used in the next blog post. See you soon.
-Graviton