General Relativity

[Law Lord]

Something I don't understand about general relativity is that time travels the speed of light.

How did Einstein come up with such a theory?

Time isn't even physical, how can it travel the speed of light?

Can someone please explain to me how this works?

I know very little about science/mathematics so please make the explanation as simple as possible.

[InfiniteNow]

Time is part of the fabric of reality, uncouplable with space.

Light moves at speed c, not time.

Time is relative to each observer.


Speed is a measure of velocity. Time doesn't have speed... at least, I don't think it does.

[Law Lord]

Einstein's theory on general relativity was based on the idea that 'time' travelled at the sped of light...

What i'm wondering is, why does he and so many others believe time is moving (it's not a physical object, so how can it?).

As you've pointed out (and I agree): "Speed is a measure of velocity. Time doesn't have speed".

So why do people say that time travels at the speed of light? I am utterly confused.

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by Law Lord

Einstein's theory on general relativity was based on the idea that 'time' travelled at the sped of light...

Here's the point on which I'm questioning you mate.


General Relativity

Many of us who have studied physics remember an equation that states that force equals mass times acceleration (f = ma) for a mass being accelerated by a constant force. We also remember how strange it was that an almost identical equation, force equals mass times the gravitational acceleration constant (f = mg) was used to determine the weight of a non-accelerating object in a gravitational field. This similarity (or relationship) between "a" and "g" forms the conceptual basis for general relativity.

[Law Lord]

hmm... perhaps I have made a mistake. I thought I read an article on general relativity two days ago were it said that time travelled at the speed of light.

I must of been mixed up (I was rather sleepy)

I'm unable to find the article now.

Also;

"Many of us who have studied physics remember an equation that states that force equals mass times acceleration (f = ma) for a mass being accelerated by a constant force. We also remember how strange it was that an almost identical equation, force equals mass times the gravitational acceleration constant (f = mg) was used to determine the weight of a non-accelerating object in a gravitational field. This similarity (or relationship) between "a" and "g" forms the conceptual basis for general relativity. "

I have no clue what that quote is getting at... (remember I have never done Physics before except when I was 15 and not paying attention).

I read the article. Didn't help me to much in my understanding of the theory of relativity.

I do more research on the subject to better understand everything.

[coldcreation]

Originally Posted by Law Lord

Something I don't understand about general relativity is that time travels the speed of light.

How did Einstein come up with such a theory?

Time isn't even physical, how can it travel the speed of light?

Can someone please explain to me how this works?

I know very little about science/mathematics so please make the explanation as simple as possible.

This should help.

http://209.10.134.179/173/

If you read the the entire work (including SR) your question will be answered (especially from chapter 7 on).

Hint: time does not travel.


CC