Re: Time is what we measure with a clock.
- From: Dick <remdickhm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 18:25:13 -0500
On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 23:29:57 +0200, nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (J. J.
Lodder) wrote:
Dick <remdickhm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:43:28 +0200, nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (J. J.
Lodder) wrote:
Dick <remdickhm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Thu, 17 Aug 2006 23:09:49 +0200, nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (J. J.
Lodder) wrote:
Dick <remdickhm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Heinz Pagels, "The Cosmic Code" in discussing "Special Theory of
Relativity" says space is what we measure with a rod and time is what
we measure with a clock.
A direct Einstein quote.
Einstein was reacting to the Newtonian idea of absolute time,
which was supposed to have a meaning indepent of measurement.
A clock: a sun dial, an hour glass, a pendulum clock, perhaps a wind
up wrist watch, oh, an atomic clock?
It shouldn't be taken too literally.
Time is the rate at which physical processes go,
therefore any physical process can serve as a clock.
(at least in principle)
So one may idealise to a 'clock' that is theoretically convenient.
Einstein's choice for the ideal clock was a pulse of light
being reflected between perfect mirrors a fixed distance apart.
Best,
Jan
I immeadiately noticed "Time is the rate at which physical processes
go...."
"Rate" is key, however, rate requires something to compare distance or
force with. We don't need rates if we compare to processes.
Comparing processes is the only thing you can do,
for a clock is also a physical process.
Jan
I can act on my own. I can run two processes simultaneously (horse
race) and visually determine the outcome without invoking a clock.
Every physical process can serve as a clock.
Some are better than others, but that is a practicality,
Jan
I presume Einstein's statement was in answer to a question, "What is
time?" Einstein's response was either flippant or accurate.
I can think of no clock that is not measuring entropy, except the sun
dial, might even include it as the sun is gaining entropy. If
Einstein was serious then he was also suggesting there is no
equivalence between space and time. Time is just conveniently
metering the flow of energy.
What kind of physical process are you thinking of besides some
expression of energy. An hour glass uses the force of gravity as does
my grandfather clock. I coordinate my computer with a "atomic clock"
counting the orbit of some nuclear particle.
If there is no such thing as time, perhaps some of hard to explain
formulas would benefit by trying to address issues without including a
"time" factor. Einstein introduced a fudge factor to be sure his
theories would not end in an "open universe."
Oh, to be a mathematician, what a wondrous language, better yet to
have a mind that can think and create ideas to express in math. The
difference is as with musical notation. The musician can read and
reproduce, the composer hears in his mind then records what he
imagines.
dick
.
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