Reference Frames and Dimensions

Things "Reference Frames" and "Dimensions" of Space and Time have been debated for thousands of years. A key point in history occurred when Isaac Newton thought time might have something to do with motion and his mentor, Isaac Barrow, I believe, told him that time had nothing to do with motion.

From that point in history -- up until time is formally redefined to be the fastest known motion -- from when Newton started saying time was not a motion nor had anything to do with motion, this misunderstanding has become the single biggest stumbling block in science.

The concepts of time and space are fundamental to science. If you have ever pondered these concepts before, I am sure you have had difficulty. Everyone else has. However, I believe, when you start visualizing time as a constant quantity of motion, equivalent to what we now call the speed of light, then your understanding of space and time will suddenly become clearer.

Here are some of the differences between my views and the traditional views of space and time.

Dimensions of Space

Nordberg Interpretation

Traditional Interpretation

Space appears 3-dimensional because there are three fundamental fields acting at right angles to each other. NA

It is better to attribute the smallest number of dimensions to space as possible -- rather than the maximum. And the number is three. It does not matter how many dimensions you attribute to space. It could be attributed 4, 9, 12 or any number of dimensions.

A grand unification theory is independent of how many dimensions space has -- however, it is easier for humans to discover and understand grand unification theories with a minimum number of dimensions. A grand unification theory is dependent on how many dimensions space has.

You can not attribute space qualities -- other than perhaps "extent." You can attribute qualities to space such as, it "can expand" or, it "can contract" even though it would be impossible to have a non changing volume of space to use as a standard to measure whether space really is expanding or contracting.

Dimensions of Time

Nordberg Interpretation

Traditional Interpretation

Time is a motion. Time is not a motion.

Time is not a dimension of space. Time is a dimension of space.

Time is a constant. Time can speed up or slow down.

Time is a measure of motion, while length is a measure of distance. Time and length are equivalent.

Through history, the motion people have called "time" is the apparent motion of the sun crossing the sky for an earthbound observer. Unknown

Time should be defined to be equal to the fastest known motion, a motion that is now called the speed of light. Time is treated as if it is equivalent to the apparent motion of the sun as it crosses the sky for an earthbound observer. But this doesn't really work, a correction factor, called Relativity, is needed for when an earthbound clock is no longer at rest on earth.

Time expands as a three-dimensional sphere in space at the speed of light. Time is one-dimensional.

Time is always expanding in all directions from its current location. Time can go forward or backward.

If the universe starts to contract, then time will still be "going forward." If the universe starts to contract, then time will go backwards like a movie running backwards.

If you are traveling at the speed of light -- which is impossible for an object of mass because it is made of light spinning around itself -- then you are traveling as fast as time. Time has not stopped because something is moving. If you are traveling at the speed of light, then time has stopped.

If a motion faster than the speed of light is discovered, then time should be redefined to travel at this faster motion. If you can travel faster than the speed of light, then this means you can travel back in time.

It is not terribly important what magnitude of length is used as the standard for measuring other lengths. But, it is terribly important what motion is used to measure other motions. It does not matter what length or motion is used as a standard to measure other lengths or motions -- the sun's motion is perfectly fine.

The motion of the atomic clock's second is effectively the same as the solar second. It is not equivalent to the speed of light even though it is precisely defined using the speed of light. The motion of an atomic clock's second is somehow conveyed with special dignity because it is precisely defined using the speed of light.

The speed of light should be used to define the sun's apparent motion for an earthbound observer. The sun's apparent motion for an earthbound observer is used to define the speed of light.

3-Dimensions of Space

Nordberg Interpretation

Traditional Interpretation

Space has "extent." Space can be attributed many qualities.

Space has no specific "geometry." Space has a specific geometry that will be determined by experiment.

Object's appear three-dimensional because there are 3 fundamental forces acting at right angles to each other. NA

If other attributes are given to space, these same attributes could equally be given to the mass and energy in the space of the universe rather than to space itself. We somehow know that space is expanding even though we do not have a standard of space that remains a constant to actually measure expanding space. The mass and energy in space are not expanding. Galaxies are not simply exploding away from each other.

To measure a quantity, you need a non changing standard for comparison. For example, to measure if space is expanding, you need a non changing volume of space as a comparison. NA

4-Dimensional Space-Time

Nordberg Interpretation

Traditional Interpretation

Events occur space. Space is easiest to imagine for humans as 3-dimensional. 4 dimensions are not needed to describe space. Events occur in 4-Dimensional Space-Time.

Time is a motion. NA

Objects can move. Same

To measure an object's motion, we compare its motion to our standard of motion -- time. NA

The fundamental quality of space -- extent -- is different from the fundamental quality of motion -- a change in position. NA

If time is defined to be what is now called "the speed of light" then a specific change in time -- not time itself -- is physically equal to a specific distance. For example: 1 second would be roughly equivalent to the distance of 300,000,000 meters. NA

Since "a change in time" can be equated to "a change in distance," 4-dimensional space-time can be mathematically reduced to 3-dimensional space. NA

If events can be explained in 3 dimensions without resorting to 4 dimensions, then this is better because it simpler. NA

It is better to imagine time as progressing as an expanding sphere of light rather than moving along a one-dimensional timeline. NA

3-Dimensional Space

Nordberg Interpretation

Traditional Interpretation

3-Dimensional Space can give as much information 4-Dimensional Space-time if time is defined as the speed of light. 4-Dimensional Space-Time gives more information than 3-Dimensional Space because it has time in it -- whatever time is!

To mathematically use 3-Dimensional Space instead of 4-Dimensional Space-Time, "seconds" must be converted into units of length using the speed of light. NA

To correctly imagine an event, think of it as occurring in 3 dimensions where a "narrow focus" 3-dimensional reference frame -- such as the earth -- is moving along a line in a "broader view" 3-dimensional reference frame -- such as the universe. (My book has a great graphic of this.) NA

3 dimensions moving in 3 dimensions might sound to mathematicians like I am using 9 dimensions. I am not implying 9 dimensions at all. They are the same 3 dimensions -- mutually dependent upon each other. NA

9, 10, 12, and Other Higher Dimensions of Space-Time

Nordberg Interpretation

Traditional Interpretation

Understood but not condoned. Some physics theories use more than 3 or 4 dimensions.

9 dimensions are used if the three dimensions of space are improperly multiplied by the same 3 dimensions of space that time moves through. 9 dimensions are acceptable.

If space is treated in 9 dimensions, and time is still used and treated one-dimensionally, then 10 dimensions are obtained. 10 dimensions are acceptable.

Time can move through the 3 dimensions of space. If this correct observation is combined with traditional 4-dimensional Space-Time by multiplying, then 12 dimensions are obtained. 12 dimensions are acceptable.

Higher dimensions are used by mathematicians who simply wish to dazzle those of us -- including me -- who do not have the mathematical skills to work in the extra dimensions -- not because they are of fundamental importance to physics. I'm just a better mathematician than this guy. (Hey! Don't get me wrong! I'm not knocking mathematicians. It's just that I am not a very good one. Does anyone know Witten's E-mail Address? I sure would like to talk with that guy!)

Euclidean Geometry

Nordberg Interpretation

Traditional Interpretation

Euclidean Geometry uses 3-dimensional space. Same.

This is the easiest to use form of geometry. Ditto.

Space is best described using 3 dimensions and Euclidean geometry -- not because space "is" Euclidean -- but only because is easiest for us. Space is Non-Euclidean because when using Relativity, space is warped by the equations.

Relativity is not needed if time is defined to be what we now call the speed of light. Relativity is needed and it uses Non-Euclidean geometry.

It makes no sense to ascribe the quality, "Non-Euclidean" to space as if it a characteristic of space. We somehow know that space is Non-Euclidean.

Non-Euclidean Geometry

Nordberg Interpretation

Traditional Interpretation

NA Because of the mathematical structure of Einstein's Relativity space must be "Non-Euclidean."

Relativity is a correction factor that is only needed if time is defined in terms of the sun's apparent motion. If time is defined as the fastest known motion, then it makes no sense to use Relativity or ascribe any geometry to space. NA

Elliptical Geometry

Nordberg Interpretation

Traditional Interpretation

In Euclidean Geometry it is assumed two parallel lines always stay parallel. In Elliptical geometry it assumed they eventually come together -- they converge. Ditto

It does not matter what geometry is used. Relativity uses elliptical geometry, therefore, space must be elliptical.

Hyperbolic Geometry

Nordberg Interpretation

Traditional Interpretation

In Euclidean Geometry it is assumed two parallel lines always stay parallel. In hyperbolic geometry it assumed they eventually spread apart -- they diverge. Ditto

Nordberg Interpretation	Traditional Interpretation
Space appears 3-dimensional because there are three fundamental fields acting at right angles to each other.	NA
It is better to attribute the smallest number of dimensions to space as possible -- rather than the maximum. And the number is three.	It does not matter how many dimensions you attribute to space. It could be attributed 4, 9, 12 or any number of dimensions.
A grand unification theory is independent of how many dimensions space has -- however, it is easier for humans to discover and understand grand unification theories with a minimum number of dimensions.	A grand unification theory is dependent on how many dimensions space has.
You can not attribute space qualities -- other than perhaps "extent."	You can attribute qualities to space such as, it "can expand" or, it "can contract" even though it would be impossible to have a non changing volume of space to use as a standard to measure whether space really is expanding or contracting.

Nordberg Interpretation	Traditional Interpretation
Time is a motion.	Time is not a motion.
Time is not a dimension of space.	Time is a dimension of space.
Time is a constant.	Time can speed up or slow down.
Time is a measure of motion, while length is a measure of distance.	Time and length are equivalent.
Through history, the motion people have called "time" is the apparent motion of the sun crossing the sky for an earthbound observer.	Unknown
Time should be defined to be equal to the fastest known motion, a motion that is now called the speed of light.	Time is treated as if it is equivalent to the apparent motion of the sun as it crosses the sky for an earthbound observer. But this doesn't really work, a correction factor, called Relativity, is needed for when an earthbound clock is no longer at rest on earth.
Time expands as a three-dimensional sphere in space at the speed of light.	Time is one-dimensional.
Time is always expanding in all directions from its current location.	Time can go forward or backward.
If the universe starts to contract, then time will still be "going forward."	If the universe starts to contract, then time will go backwards like a movie running backwards.
If you are traveling at the speed of light -- which is impossible for an object of mass because it is made of light spinning around itself -- then you are traveling as fast as time. Time has not stopped because something is moving.	If you are traveling at the speed of light, then time has stopped.
If a motion faster than the speed of light is discovered, then time should be redefined to travel at this faster motion.	If you can travel faster than the speed of light, then this means you can travel back in time.
It is not terribly important what magnitude of length is used as the standard for measuring other lengths. But, it is terribly important what motion is used to measure other motions.	It does not matter what length or motion is used as a standard to measure other lengths or motions -- the sun's motion is perfectly fine.
The motion of the atomic clock's second is effectively the same as the solar second. It is not equivalent to the speed of light even though it is precisely defined using the speed of light.	The motion of an atomic clock's second is somehow conveyed with special dignity because it is precisely defined using the speed of light.
The speed of light should be used to define the sun's apparent motion for an earthbound observer.	The sun's apparent motion for an earthbound observer is used to define the speed of light.

Nordberg Interpretation	Traditional Interpretation
Space has "extent."	Space can be attributed many qualities.
Space has no specific "geometry."	Space has a specific geometry that will be determined by experiment.
Object's appear three-dimensional because there are 3 fundamental forces acting at right angles to each other.	NA
If other attributes are given to space, these same attributes could equally be given to the mass and energy in the space of the universe rather than to space itself.	We somehow know that space is expanding even though we do not have a standard of space that remains a constant to actually measure expanding space. The mass and energy in space are not expanding. Galaxies are not simply exploding away from each other.
To measure a quantity, you need a non changing standard for comparison. For example, to measure if space is expanding, you need a non changing volume of space as a comparison.	NA

Nordberg Interpretation	Traditional Interpretation
Events occur space. Space is easiest to imagine for humans as 3-dimensional. 4 dimensions are not needed to describe space.	Events occur in 4-Dimensional Space-Time.
Time is a motion.	NA
Objects can move.	Same
To measure an object's motion, we compare its motion to our standard of motion -- time.	NA
The fundamental quality of space -- extent -- is different from the fundamental quality of motion -- a change in position.	NA
If time is defined to be what is now called "the speed of light" then a specific change in time -- not time itself -- is physically equal to a specific distance. For example: 1 second would be roughly equivalent to the distance of 300,000,000 meters.	NA
Since "a change in time" can be equated to "a change in distance," 4-dimensional space-time can be mathematically reduced to 3-dimensional space.	NA
If events can be explained in 3 dimensions without resorting to 4 dimensions, then this is better because it simpler.	NA
It is better to imagine time as progressing as an expanding sphere of light rather than moving along a one-dimensional timeline.	NA

Nordberg Interpretation	Traditional Interpretation
3-Dimensional Space can give as much information 4-Dimensional Space-time if time is defined as the speed of light.	4-Dimensional Space-Time gives more information than 3-Dimensional Space because it has time in it -- whatever time is!
To mathematically use 3-Dimensional Space instead of 4-Dimensional Space-Time, "seconds" must be converted into units of length using the speed of light.	NA
To correctly imagine an event, think of it as occurring in 3 dimensions where a "narrow focus" 3-dimensional reference frame -- such as the earth -- is moving along a line in a "broader view" 3-dimensional reference frame -- such as the universe. (My book has a great graphic of this.)	NA
3 dimensions moving in 3 dimensions might sound to mathematicians like I am using 9 dimensions. I am not implying 9 dimensions at all. They are the same 3 dimensions -- mutually dependent upon each other.	NA

Nordberg Interpretation	Traditional Interpretation
Understood but not condoned.	Some physics theories use more than 3 or 4 dimensions.
9 dimensions are used if the three dimensions of space are improperly multiplied by the same 3 dimensions of space that time moves through.	9 dimensions are acceptable.
If space is treated in 9 dimensions, and time is still used and treated one-dimensionally, then 10 dimensions are obtained.	10 dimensions are acceptable.
Time can move through the 3 dimensions of space. If this correct observation is combined with traditional 4-dimensional Space-Time by multiplying, then 12 dimensions are obtained.	12 dimensions are acceptable.
Higher dimensions are used by mathematicians who simply wish to dazzle those of us -- including me -- who do not have the mathematical skills to work in the extra dimensions -- not because they are of fundamental importance to physics.	I'm just a better mathematician than this guy. (Hey! Don't get me wrong! I'm not knocking mathematicians. It's just that I am not a very good one. Does anyone know Witten's E-mail Address? I sure would like to talk with that guy!)

Nordberg Interpretation	Traditional Interpretation
Euclidean Geometry uses 3-dimensional space.	Same.
This is the easiest to use form of geometry.	Ditto.
Space is best described using 3 dimensions and Euclidean geometry -- not because space "is" Euclidean -- but only because is easiest for us.	Space is Non-Euclidean because when using Relativity, space is warped by the equations.
Relativity is not needed if time is defined to be what we now call the speed of light.	Relativity is needed and it uses Non-Euclidean geometry.
It makes no sense to ascribe the quality, "Non-Euclidean" to space as if it a characteristic of space.	We somehow know that space is Non-Euclidean.

Nordberg Interpretation	Traditional Interpretation
NA	Because of the mathematical structure of Einstein's Relativity space must be "Non-Euclidean."
Relativity is a correction factor that is only needed if time is defined in terms of the sun's apparent motion. If time is defined as the fastest known motion, then it makes no sense to use Relativity or ascribe any geometry to space.	NA

Nordberg Interpretation	Traditional Interpretation
In Euclidean Geometry it is assumed two parallel lines always stay parallel. In Elliptical geometry it assumed they eventually come together -- they converge.	Ditto
It does not matter what geometry is used.	Relativity uses elliptical geometry, therefore, space must be elliptical.