spacetime

Also known as space-time, space-time continuum

In physics, spacetime, also called the space-time continuum, is a mathematical model that fuses the three dimensions of space and the one dimension of time into a single four-dimensional continuum. Spacetime diagrams are useful in visualizing and understanding relativistic effects, such as how different observers perceive where and when events occur.

AI overview

Spacetime is a mathematical model in physics that combines the three dimensions of space (length, width, height) and time into a single four-dimensional framework. It's useful because it helps physicists visualize and understand how different observers can perceive the location and timing of events differently, particularly when dealing with objects moving at very high speeds.

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Image: Spacetime curvature2.png

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Commons category: Spacetime
Stack Exchange tag: physics.stackexchange.com/tags/spacetime

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~79 min read

Article

45 sections

Contents

Fundamentals
Definitions
History
Spacetime in special relativity {{anchor|In special relativity}}
Spacetime interval
Reference frames
Light cone
Relativity of simultaneity
Invariant hyperbola
Time dilation and length contraction
Mutual time dilation and the twin paradox
Mutual time dilation
Twin paradox
Gravitation
Basic mathematics of spacetime {{anchor|Mathematics}}
Galilean transformations
Relativistic composition of velocities
Time dilation and length contraction revisited
Lorentz transformations
Deriving the Lorentz transformations
Linearity of the Lorentz transformations
Doppler effect
Longitudinal Doppler effect
Transverse Doppler effect
Energy and momentum
Extending momentum to four dimensions
Momentum of light
Mass–energy relationship
Four-momentum
Conservation laws
Total momentum
Choice of reference frames
Energy and momentum conservation
Introduction to curved spacetime
Technical topics
Is spacetime really curved?
Asymptotic symmetries
Riemannian geometry
Curved manifolds
Privileged character of 3+1 spacetime
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
External links

Until the turn of the 20th century, the assumption had been that the three-dimensional geometry of the universe (its description in terms of locations, shapes, distances, and directions) was distinct from time (the measurement of when events occur within the universe). However, space and time took on new meanings with the Lorentz transformation and special theory of relativity.