Why physicists treat time as a physical distance
In short: In the realm of Minkowski spacetime, time and space are inextricably linked. This video explains the mathematical convenience of converting time into meters to better understand the structure of our universe.
To simplify the study of motion and spacetime, physicists often use the same units for both space and time. This is achieved by multiplying the time axis by the speed of light (c).
By treating time as a dimension that can be measured in meters, the geometric properties of the universe become easier to calculate. This fundamental principle helps bridge the gap between how we perceive time and how it functions within the laws of physics.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Measuring time in meters in Minkowski spacetime | Physics | Khan Academy
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