Space/Matter: Exploring a Unified Continuum

  • Thread starter Poorichard2
  • Start date
In summary, you have been reading about Einstein's theory that gravity is space/time curvature and Stephen Hawking's thoughts on the nature of space/time. You have been motivated to look into this line of thought to see if it is possible to flush out conceptions that are and were ignored as being too radical and not having proofs. You have begun making a mental model, "Conceptional Cosmolgy," and are questioning the existence of space and matter as separate entities. You have arrived at the idea that space and matter are the same fundamental thing, and that matter is simply the concept of space with additional properties tacked on.
  • #1
Poorichard2
39
0
After reading over Sikz, FZ+, Eh and jammieg reply,I have been
reviewing the questions from other websites and sources.

Perhaps I have been leaning too much towards a Metaphysical theory
or idea then a conventionual one, a thin line perhaps? interesting?
yes. Reading Einstein's theory that gravity is space/time curvature
and Stephen Hawking's thoughts on the nature of space/time, I was
motivated to look into this line of thought much further to see if
it was possible to flush out conceptions that are and were ignored
as being too radical and not having proofs. I for one would not
throw away in my mind the theories of General Relativity merely for
some unproven theory. Thus I arrived upon the idea of making a mental
model, "Conceptional Cosmolgy" and begin with Space/Matter leaving
out "Time" and "Velocity" in order to bite into raw material, later
evolving or progressing towards Space/Time/Velocity but it was to be
a step by step process building an engine by first constructing the
block and progressing towards a unified power plant.

The construction for a "Conceptional Cosmology" model has begun,but
there lies some questions first.

What are your thoughts on:

A: Space/Matter as a unified Continuum?

B: Matter as the primary state?

C: Space as the secondary state?

If yes to the above three questions what would the next most
important addition be? if no on anyone of the above,why?

D: Your Comment.

Thank you for your help.
 
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  • #2
Why not first find out how matter and space are different in concept? Let's take any given volume of an arbitrary size of space and compare it to the same for matter.

So in the time of the Greek atomists, before the findings of modern physics, we would have:

Properties of a cubic meter of empty space

-Length
-Width
-Breadth
-Geometry (Flat)
-Location

Properties of matter the same size

-Length
-Width
-Breadth
-Geometry (Flat)
-Location
-Motion
-Solidity
-Location
-The fact these properties change values, while those of space stay the same.

Doing so, you'll notice that the concept of matter is nothing more than the concept of space with additional properties tacked on. Thus the question of whether space has independent existence of matter loses it's ontological force, and the question is now merely asking if there exists any space which does not have the same properties as matter. That means matter is a special kind of space.

But modern physics has done much to change the picture above. First off, space is no longer seen as an unchanging fixed stage in which matter moves about. Space too is ever changing, and the property of geometry no longer need be flat Euclidean space. In General Relatvity, space and time do not have independent existence but are structural properties of the gravitational field. For every physical event in the universe involving interactions between matter, there is also a corresponding geometry to it. If you change the relations of matter in the universe, you're also changing the geometry of spacetime. From this we see that the difference between empty space and space filled with matter is a question of curvature. A perfect vacuum would be a case where spacetime is flat. The more matter you have, the more spacetime curvature.

The properties of matter have changed as well. Quantum theory has replaced the atomist vision of billiard ball like objects floating around a void with quantum fields. However, there does not yet exist a quantum theory of spacetime itself. That means we don't know if matter has the property of space or are just points located throughout a background of spacetime. From string theory of LQG it would seem they do not posses the propery of volume. Just as space can be seen as being made of 1D lines, fundamental matter may also only have one spatial property, that being length. Area and volume would not be a fundamental property, but merely a result of the relations about fundamental things.

In such a case, matter and space are ultimately the same fundamental thing. But you can see this by comparing the properties of spaces and matter, just as you could with the assumption that volume (length, width, breadth) is a property of matter.
 
  • #3
A: Space/Matter as a unified Continuum?
COnceptually, I like it. If we start looking deep into matter (+energy), we get the idea that matter is essentially space, and that suggests we don't really have such solidness at the fundamental scales. But as for evidence, I am not really aware of much to support this.

B: Matter as the primary state?

C: Space as the secondary state?

The logical third one would be that they are both states of what?
 
  • #4
Reply to EH

Good point Eh. I am thinking on it and will respond.
Thank you for taking time to reply to my update post.
 
  • #5
FZ+

Thank you for your reply FZ+.
True,for evidence at this time I do know know of any to support it.
Just like String Theory, it is interesting to say the least, as
for proof? well you know what happened, now there are several
theories from the original and still counting. The way I see it
ideas,philosophies,concepts all have their place and because of it
many other workable theories were developed. Sometimes proofs or
evidence are found, but for now my model is merely an idea.
Your input like Eh helps me a lot. Your question "Both states of
what?" I will respond on it,it's that I forgot your last question.
 
Last edited:

1. What is the concept of a unified continuum in relation to space and matter?

The concept of a unified continuum suggests that space and matter are not separate entities, but rather interconnected parts of a single system. This means that the fabric of space itself is influenced by matter and vice versa, creating a continuous and dynamic relationship between the two.

2. How does the unified continuum theory challenge traditional views of space and matter?

The unified continuum theory challenges traditional views by proposing that space and matter are not separate, but rather two aspects of the same system. This is in contrast to the traditional view of space being a static, empty backdrop for matter to exist in.

3. What evidence supports the existence of a unified continuum?

There is significant evidence from various fields of study, such as particle physics, cosmology, and astronomy, that supports the existence of a unified continuum. For example, the theory of general relativity explains how matter can influence the curvature of space, and experiments at the Large Hadron Collider have confirmed the existence of subatomic particles that interact with the fabric of space.

4. How does the unified continuum theory relate to the concept of spacetime?

The unified continuum theory is closely related to the concept of spacetime, which combines the three dimensions of space with the dimension of time. It suggests that spacetime is not just a static background, but a dynamic and interconnected system that is influenced by matter.

5. How does understanding the unified continuum impact our understanding of the universe?

Understanding the unified continuum can greatly impact our understanding of the universe by providing a more comprehensive and interconnected view of space and matter. It can also help us better understand phenomena such as gravity, the expansion of the universe, and the behavior of particles at a subatomic level.

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