Relativity and Time
Relativity
The principles of special relativity have been well described by Einstein’s thought experiments of the different views of the observer on the train and the observer on the station platform. We have accepted these basic concepts of rod shortening and time dilation when travelling at speeds that compare to the speed of light.
General relativity however gets a bit more difficult to grasp because Einstein tried to explain to dummies like me about the equivalence of inertial and gravitational mass with simple concepts, but understanding these does not really give much information about the warping of space-time. The real significance of this has eluded me and only after having gone though the process of writing my thoughts on Inflation and Gravitation do I have a glimpse at what he was trying to get at.
The equivalence of inertial and gravitational mass has been well described by Einstein and what helped my understanding was extending this concept to the equivalence of mass travelling near the speed of light and the event horison of a black hole. This has brought the discussion down to my level and I would like to share this with you with reference to the electromagnetic wave densities that we have discussed so far.
Let’s go back to the early description of the inhibited wave trying to escape the black hole. This shortened wavelength I described not only acts as a force trying to extend the wave but also as the first measure of distance in space. At that stage we also mentioned the possibility that this was also the creation of time. Bear with me while I attempt to convey my thoughts in this regard.
The most important aspect to grasp here is that even though the speed of light is reduced in denser space, the observer within that denser space still measures the speed as the speed of light (300 000km / sec) due to the phenomena of rod shortening and time dilation. The only way this can occur is if the speed of the wave as observed from the distant “normal” space is seen to reduce its speed. This occurs near the event horison and in fact the speed of light becomes virtually nil at the event horison. Remember that the observer on the light beam itself still sees their speed as the speed of light. I would like to state now that this does not constitute a “singularity” but merely a transformation between phases of the E cycle. This principle has been seen at the phase transformation point between the various stages of the cycle where the new set of processes begin and are IN BALANCE with the previous processes … but NEVER a “singularity”. This principle in biology is consistent with homeostasis.
Of course the wave will always appear to all observers within the same space density framework as travelling at the speed of light. This space density through which it is travelling and within which the observers are stationed is also being formed or created by this wave’s contribution, however small this may be.
Gravitational time dilation and the resultant red shift of emitted radiation seem to go hand in hand with the view of general relativity that mass distorts or curves space time and space time then dictates the path that mass or light must take. Inflation and gravity are both intertwined as opposing states of space. This is reminiscent of a chemical dissociation reaction in balance under a set of physical parameters. This balance of the state of space is different at each point in space because the conditions existing at that point are different. Different densities of mass, different temperatures, different gravitational, magnetic and inflationary conditions affect each electromagnetic wave in its two single dimensional existence. Interference, superposition and distortion in propagation direction as well as tangential direction make each point in space unique. This multitude of influence from each and every direction of three dimensional space is certainly a complicated analysis problem, but this must not detract from the basic nature of the individual plane wave that forms the essence of space.
Gravitational redshift incorporates these laws and the frequency and wavelength length of each form of emission is “respected” The constraint of gravitation is an overriding imposition that leaves classical rules unaffected. Only the measuring sticks of time and distance have changed and relativity becomes essential to understanding these density differences in space. The perception of space expanding would thus go unnoticed to the inhabitant of that area of space that we from a distance see as expansion. The point of this covariance of perceptual reality close to a body is made to demonstrate that at some point in space where gazillions of electromagnetic waves form the fabric of space the status of inflation may be at different levels along each wave. This would make the mathematics describing space-time at that point impossible if viewed from another point in space, because of the complexity of the distortions that result from the multiplicity of superimpositions from all angles. However, the covariance rule ensures relative normality (literally and figuratively).
Is time really a dimension? With Inflation creating space and thus distance, the question of time arises automatically. Any distance implies that there is a time period between two points. Simultaneity of occurrences at each end of the distance becomes an issue and time is born. Transformation of energy also requires time because energy in one form must exist before the transformation into another form of energy. My conclusion is that time certainly exists in the same relative form that distance exists within the concept of energy. To see it as a dimension still fascinates me and I have constantly referred to spatial dimensions only in this article. Does E need any spatial dimensions to exist? My gut feeling tells me that energy will always be in the form of a wave and form implies distance and distance needs spatial dimensions. Because transformations are an integral characteristic of energy my gut feeling says that energy and time could also not exist without each other and the concept of them existing without the three dimensions that we perceive requires a singularity which is nonsense. Energy has to have form and form needs space and space and transformation need time. The size or magnitude of distance and time is however what this section on relativity is about.
Rod shortening and time dilation is as much a feature of gravitation as of mass moving at velocities of a significant percentage of the speed of light. This fact was theoretically proven by Einstein and can be well understood by the picture of gravity that has emerged from this article. If space is being absorbed at or near 300 000 kilometres per second as observed by the observer on the mass or body (say earth) it is in all ways equivalent to the earth moving through space at that same speed. The observer has no way of knowing which the true situation is. His only clue will be to observe the relative speeds of other heavenly bodies in relation to himself. The problem exists however that the other bodies may also be moving in the same framework through space at the same speed. This argument is however irrelevant to the observer because his platform of reality exists on earth. All he sees is this space rushing at him at nearly the speed of light and he knows from his observations that his clock is going faster than the guy’s clock in the spaceship leaving earth and returning at a later date, but slower than a “stationary” guy’s clock further away from the earth’s gravitational field. This analogy of gravity to Einstein’s observations on special relativity fits well into my understanding of his observations regarding general relativity and confirms my view that the absorption of electromagnetic waves and by definition space by mass is the mechanism by which gravity is mediated. This view also confirms Einstein’s observation that gravity is not a “force” like the other basic forces, but merely a condition of space.
I would like to paint a picture now of space being warped tightly around the centre of the galaxy or black hole. As the distance from the black hole increases the space becomes “thinner”. This same thinning space nears a solar system within the galaxy and increases in density as it approaches but remember that beside that local area the rest of the space around the black hole is still getting less dense. Once the distance from the solar system gets larger, the space gets thinner again and merges with space from other systems. The resultant space eventually is made up of many influences as it recedes from the black hole. Remember however that the solar systems and planets influencing this space are gazillions or trillions of magnitudes smaller than the black hole. So much so in fact that the overall effect of the space density hardly warps in comparison to the central galactic warp. The warping effect that the minor systems (solar systems) have on space is far less than they have on time. The reason for this becomes obvious once we have completed our discussion on time. So let’s move on to this next scary thing called time.
Time
Wavelength IS distance and space as we have discussed exhaustively, but now for a WOPPER! I would like to suggest that time IS the amplitude of the wave. OK, shoot me, but first hear me out. As an object moves closer to the speed of light rod shortening occurs which relates to the shortening of wavelength. We also see this effect as waves approach a massive object as discussed in the section on gravity. The “piling up” of the wave shortens the wavelength and thus also space, distance and rods. But what we also discussed was the fact that the energy of the wave was also increasing to create an energy gradient for the absorption process. We interpreted this as a larger amplitude. This energy increase with amplitude was also described in the section on inflation. Now bear with me when I associate this situation with time dilation. We know that this occurs at speeds near that of light and also near massive objects due to the speed of space absorption. What else dilates beside time … the amplitude of the wave! When inflation occurs the wavelength is tiny and space hardly exists, but time starts the other way around!!!!! Time IS the massive amplitude and space IS the tiny wavelength. As inflation takes its course space is created but time starts “reducing” with the amplitude. In this respect it is not another dimension as Einstein surmised but a feature of and is inversely related to the other three dimensions. This is born out by Lorentz’s equations which formed the basis of Einstein’s relativity. Without trying to play the mathematician here I would like to remind you that according to Lorentz rods are shortened as speed increases by the amount √1-v2/c2 and time by the amount 1/ √1-v2/c2
The fact that the two are inversely proportional resembles the fact that the wavelength and amplitude are also inversely proportional if the same energy level of the wave is maintained. Let me repeat the following from the section on electromagnetic waves:
“The amplitude (A) is related to the energy (E) it carries by the formula
E = ½ (µ∆x) ω2A 2
The µ relates to the mass per unit length and ω (angular frequency) relates to the ƒ times the constant (2 π). Let’s just say that
E ≈ ƒ 2 A 2 times a constant”
Now if we use the formula c = λ x ƒ and replace the ƒ with c / λ this simplification becomes
E ≈ (c / λ) 2 A 2
or
E ≈ c 2 A 2⁄ λ2
What this tells us is that energy is proportional to the square of the speed of the wave, as well as the square of the amplitude (time?) but inversely proportional to the wavelength (space or distance). The interesting aspect of this association to energy is that if solved for various speeds the energy increases exponentially as the speed nears the speed of light and the wavelength gets shorter. This occurs because of rod shortening but also of course due to the time (amplitude) dilation. This also fits in with the inflation hypothesis where the drive behind inflation is the energy within the wave that is following the law of entropy in the energy downhill direction. I am acutely aware that all this stuff about time and amplitude is only circumstantial evidence, but it all seems to fit.
Let’s try to add a bit of farmer’s logic here. I have stated and am convinced that energy is all that exists. Energy exists only as electromagnetic waves. We have investigated the creation of space and mass and postulated certain hypotheses regarding their interplay. Time is the only building block of our reality that I glossed over during the inflation discussion without any attempted explanation. I did allude to the fact that time was created at the same time as space and that it emerged naturally from distance creation. This glib explanation does not satisfy the observed phenomenon of time dilation. The second oversight at that stage was the acceptance that amplitude was merely the accumulation of energy to be used as the driver of inflation. This glib explanation avoided the role that amplitude could play in space creation. Here we have two loose ends and when added to Einstein’s contention that time was a fourth dimension the question begs as to where this fourth dimension does fit into our overall hypothesis. Well, if the glove fits, then hey, let’s investigate.
All the fingers fit the glove, but can time really be such a physical reality? My first reaction is negative, but when I consider the gazillions of waves creating space in 3 dimensions by the entropic pressure of wavelength extension the question arises as to the role of amplitude in that space. What would that space look like if the amplitude of these gazillions of waves was smaller or larger. (Our assumption that a shorter wavelength necessitates a larger amplitude is not an obvious and direct deduction and Lorentz’s equations require the assumption of their validity. We have to do just that because experiments have proven their validity and our role is now to attempt to reduce these observations to the parsimony of our basic electromagnetic wave.) What aspect of space could reflect this smaller or larger amplitude. It is all very well to say that we know that the space with a larger amplitude has more energy or is more “dense”. The latter density could be seen or measured as rod shortening, but how can the higher energy be seen or measured?
If you recall the Einstein’s thought experiments relating to time dilation with the light ray being emitted at right angles to the path of the space ships …
Try to imagine the emitted ray as being the amplitude. The increased distance that the ray had to travel was the basis for saying that it needed more time to do that. This is the explanation for time dilation and Lorentz’s equations. It is a deduction that has been born out by experiment. If the amplitude thus is increased, is it not logical to say that more time is required for this lateral movement to happen? I think that we are making a reasonable assumption here, but where does this leave us? We thus have a cycle of concentration of time (And I mean a lot of it like we have in Africa) that resides in mass energy that is in constant balance with virtually no time which is dissipated in the expansion of space through inflation. I would imagine that the concentration of energy through accretion of mass would also be capturing time energy at the same time as space energy!!!!
Let’s have some fun here by using an analogy that is not exact, but may demonstrate the concept simply. Let’s pretend we are driving East along a road in a truck which uses one litre of fuel for every kilometre driven. We put 256 litres in the (very large) tank and if the road went straight East this energy or fuel would take us 256 kilometres East. However, the reality is that there is no straight road and we have to use some of our energy to go left and right to follow the road. We want to progress forward but the road goes left and right and thus slows us down in our endeavour to proceed East and we only have a certain amount of energy (256 litres of fuel). In our example, if we had to deviate to the left by 8 km and then to the right for 8 km our fuel would only take us East by about 8 km. If however the lateral deviation (amplitude) was only 2 km, we would go East about 32 km. What has happened here? We have travelled 256 km in both cases and used all the available fuel (energy) but only some distance (space) has been gained. The rest of the energy has been utilised in lateral movement.
This may seem obvious but let me spell it out. The energy (fuel) has been split into two components. Both components are essential to explain the energy used and the fact that the distance attained in the easterly direction has taken longer to achieve with more lateral deviation seems to spell out that more time has been expended with the larger amplitude. When we transfer this concept to the wave it is easy to see the simple analogy. In another analogy the wave itself is like a garden hosepipe. The length, thickness and tension are inherent characteristics which are a permanent feature of the wave’s existence. The energy with which the oscillation was created determines the characteristics and imparts that energy to the wave with which it has to live until transferred in some way like absorption, standing wave contribution etc. The inherent inverse elasticity between wavelength and amplitude is the way that the individual wave adapts to and co-creates it’s environment called space -time. Although inflation dictates the dissipation of energy driving amplitude into wavelength, the more overriding feature of gravitational influence on this wavelength- amplitude interplay is always present to a more or lesser extent. Every time the wave passes or nears a massive body the wavelength will shorten, increasing the density of space and reducing the speed of the wave. At the same time and automatically the amplitude will increase in response to the shortened wavelength (to conserve the internal energy of the wave) and the interval between ticks of the clock will increase thus slowing time. Time is thus an inherent part of our three dimensional space and serves as a reservoir for the pent up energy in denser space near a massive body. Remember that this occurs in all three dimensions and the superimposed amplitude at that point in space will be the time that is valid for that area of space. Also remember that superimposition and destruction of waves only applies to the amplitude and leaves the wavelength to contribute to the specific direction of 3 D space in which it is travelling. Time is thus a resultant superposition of the Amplitude of waves creating the 3 D space. Here is only one time at any given point of space even though there are gazillions of waves contributing to the superimposed amplitude that determines the time at that point. This is why Einstein called time the fourth dimension, but I feel that it can be better understood by seeing time as a combined result and feature of all the superimposed wave’s amplitudes of the particular point in 3 D space. Each dimension has a common time at that point and it is inextricably linked to all three dimensions at that point. It cannot exist on its own or even with only one of the dimensions.
Entropy has been called “the arrow of time”. The definition of entropy is in essence the lack of ability within the system to do work. Energy cannot be destroyed or created and every system that creates something (even life and evolution) has to use more energy than it creates to generate the order associated with life. Our homeostatic system is however the story of everything and this INCLUDES the maintenance of energy!!!!! Wow, we are creating order by USING energy, how can we claim to be conserving energy. The “Heat Death” scenario of the universe ends in an amorphous blob of energy in some form that cannot generate work to create order because entropy has reached its maximum and there is no differential energy to create work. The homeostatic model assumes that Nature has existed so long that it has “learned” the techniques of preventing this situation. Nature has created the “negative feedback system”. ALL processes are taken over by the negative feedback of another process that prevents runaway things like infinities and singularities. Time is a wonderful demonstration of this ability.
Lets look at this process. We know that the energy within the wave near the black hole contains more time than space (large amplitude and small wavelength) Einstein predicted this time dilation I think that it has been accepted as conventional wisdom by now. As space is created by inflation time diminishes exponentially according to Lorentz’s equations while space increases with distance. BUT how does this cycle stop? What negative feedback process brings time back to the black hole without reversing time? Well, as we have proposed, primordial synthesis of mass is created by standing waves, thus binding time (and space) energy into mass through the processes of nucleosynthesis and accretion we have described. The wonderful ability of mass to absorb the created space (and time) hands over the energy to gravity to complete the cycle. The whole system is buffered by the process of rotational dynamics (angular momentum) eventually dropping the mass (containing potential time and space) back where it started without affecting the flow of time. Snazzy hey?
The seemingly universal questions regarding time are:
Does time flow?
Does it flow only in one direction? (The arrow of time)
Our model of inflation certainly supports the flow of time. Lets make an assumption that one full oscillation or wave represents one second or “tick” of the clock. This wave or “tick” is moving in one direction at the local speed of light … it is flowing in one direction. From the inertial standpoint of mass (i.e. ourselves, the observer) it is flowing at the speed of light. Once that wave or tick or second has passed our inertial frame it is gone.
The second question is not that easily dispensed with because electromagnetic waves are going in all directions at any point in space. The answer here lies in the larger picture. Remember that the density of space is the highest near mass and the larger the mass the higher the density. The largest mass in our galaxy is the black hole and the highest density is around that black hole. To restate the essence of the model again, the density is held in the amplitude which we have defined as time. The highest time density in the galaxy is thus around the black hole. The inflationary drive is away from high density and the flow of time is thus away from the black hole. OK, but what about the other masses like the sun, earth etc. Of course these massive objects play a role in the flow of time but they are obviously subservient to the major inflation from the black hole. Amplitude or time is subject to superposition and the density in one area of space is a sum total result of all the amplitudes making up that particular area. Just like the warping of space with regard to gravity, time is subject to this pattern of density warps. This is what general relativity is all about. The point here is that the flow of time will be away from the black hole and away from the mass. This flow is determined by the very shape of the fabric of space. This warping of time mimics the warping of space 100%. The answer to the question of whether time flows in one direction is thus a resounding YES from any one observers point of view. Once again this relativity thing comes into play in a wonderful way. Just like gravity, if we stood back and looked from our God’s eye view the direction of time would be warped in space-time following the direction of the inflationary pressure. I’ll try to draw this God’s eye view for one or two objects around the black hole, but be aware that the real picture is immeasurably more complex.
I promised earlier to come back to the warping effect of lesser masses (solar systems) on space and time. If you consider a central galactic time warp it is enormous compared to the space warp. OK? When regarding the change in warp when the wave of space is already flatter the difference that a solar system for instance has on the flat wave is more pronounced in the amplitude or time than in the wavelength or space. This effect is reversed however near the black hole where a small change in wavelength would elicit a large change in amplitude. The following diagram may help to understand this principle. The heavily warped wave is near the black hole and the relatively flat wave near the solar systems. In the flatter wave a large increase in wavelength is necessary to effect a small change in amplitude.
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Summary of Postulates relating to this Section
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