TEXTURES AND KINDS OF TIME
“ Our
present picture of physical reality, particularly in relation to the nature of time, is due for a grand shake-up—even
greater, perhaps, than that which has already been provided by present-day
relativity and quantum mechanics” [1]. This article is written in this spirit to give
a fresh insight of time, its passage and consciousness by critically studying
the mathematical constructions of time and the evolution of relativity concept.
Time is considered as one of the fundamental quantities in physics. Second,
which is the duration of 9,192,631,770 cesium-133 atomic oscillations, is the
unit. We generally believe that we know what time is. But our understanding of time is not unique
[1-7].
Evolution of concept of time:
Time has many forms, structures, natures
and has been viewed, defined and understood variedly [2-7]. Ancient Indian
thinking contributed to the concept of time. The essence of ancient Indian
thought on time appears to be the identification of three major characteristics
of processes i.e., the beginning, the ongoing and the end. Ancient Indians stated that time passes in a
cyclic way [6].
Ancient Chinese felt that time is
discontinuous. It is with the Greek
philosophers, the different and mutually contradicting
views about time started flourishing.
Plato is the first to distinguish time as it is in itself from our
awareness of time and from events in Time.
He regarded Time as being actually produced by the revolutions of the
celestial sphere. Zeno related Time to
motion. Pythagoras tended to identify
the chronological with the logical.
Aristotle, possibly influenced by Pythagoras felt Time as counting of motion in respect of before and
after. He regarded Time and motion as reciprocal. He concluded that Time does not exist without
motion. Thus for Aristotle, Time is a
numerable aspect of motion. Plotinus
objects to this aspect of Time when he says “motion time can not be, since motion takes place in time”. For Heraclites time signifies the period of world from its function to its
destruction and rebirth.
Galileo has represented time as a
geometrical straight line. Barrow said
that time is the continuance of anything in itself in its own being. Newton
felt that an “absolute time” exists, whose equable flow is independent. Thus he says “Absolute, true and mathematical
Time of itself and from its own nature flows equably, without relation to
anything external. Leibniz felt the
order of successive existents as time. Kant
perceived time as an aspect of our experience and denied it an existence in
external reality. Einstein criticized
the classical concept of universal simultaneity. He provided the term relative time. Human
experience and observation sense two existences of time. They are physical
existence and psychological existence [6]. Modern physicists like Stephen Hawking talk
about real and imaginary times and also about the shape of time [3, 5].
Physical
existence of time:
Natural sciences such as physics,
chemistry and biology understand physical existence of time variedly. Movement,
change and becoming as given by Zwart [2] are three classifications of physical
time. These may be understood by
observing physical, chemical and biological processes as follows.
Physical
Time:
Energy is time. Energy transformation
through matter or otherwise is passage of time [6]. Energy presence can be potential form of
matter, charge or energy. Energy transformation can be continuous or discrete
and discontinuous. Dual nature of energy and matter give rise to two associated
and simultaneous motions relating to wave motion because of associated
wave-nature and translational or other kind of motion of and due to particle
nature [6, 7].
Time
in theoretical physics: The physical theory of time:
i) Movement: Matter and energy are engaged in all
natural, man-made or man-initiated processes. Matter can exist as solid,
liquid, gas (vapor) or plasma (ionic form of matter) at a given time and space.
Energy can exist in many forms. Matter and energy can be in i) a state of rest
or ii) in a state of motion. Aristotle
opined Time as counting of and reciprocal to motion. Motion associated
with matter can be translation, rotation and vibration and periodic or
non-periodic. Plato opined Time to be generated by cosmological movements1.
Thus movement has been construed to be Time and also the cause of Time.
Time associated with movement, gives direction to time and
sustains it as vector time. The same becomes scalar time when counting of that duration of movement is done. Position
changes with velocity. But velocity need not change with position. (Ex; uniform
or constant velocity)
Time
of thermodynamics, chemistry, biology and evolutionary biology: Physicochemical,
chemical and
biological times:
Time
is generally defined considering physics and cosmology only [3, 5]. But time
occurs and plays a role in the same sense in chemical, biological and other
natural sciences also [4, 6].
ii) Change: The phase or state of matter is changed by energy and the
form of energy is changed through matter [6]. Thus transformation of phase or
state of matter or form of energy takes place with mutual influence. Natural or non-natural processes involve
transformation of both matter and energy bringing out changes within or without
of matter. Heat energy changes ice (solid) into water (liquid). This is the macroscopic change of phase of
matter which reflects the microscopic change of phase of matter – atomic or
molecular changes within the matter. Changes in the nucleus of an element also
take place at the respective Energy and Time scales giving rise to nuclear
changes of matter.
The atomic and nuclear changes take place
involving rest and change of place (movement) of electrons, atoms and molecules
in atomic and molecular spaces relating to respective micro-energy and
Time-Scales Human sense organs can not sense all the magnitudes of these
micro-energy changes and Time-durations which take place in micro (10-6
sec), nano- (10-9 sec), pico- (10-12 sec), femto (10-15
sec) times in micro- and nano- spaces (nm, 10-9 m). Only specific
sophisticated instruments alone can sense, monitor and gauge these micro –
energy changes happening in micro (10-6 sec), nano- (10-9
sec), pico- (10-12 sec), femto (10-15 sec) and atto (10-18)
times. Time associated with change and
course of change gives direction to time and sustains it as vector time. The same becomes scalar time when counting of that duration of change is done.
Thus
all physical, chemical changes are constructed
as Time with varied durations and intervals.
iii)
Becoming: Biology is the
natural science dealing with living systems. We will be aware of physical
changes of an organism – the result of physicochemical changes within - as
growth or decay. A plant becomes a
tree. A girl becomes youthful. These
two becomings are growth of
organisms. Tree becomes dead wood.
Youthful woman becomes an old woman.
These two becomings are decay
or degeneration of the organisms. The psychological process of a human being becoming angry and being peaceful after the anger subsides are also biological
processes involving changes in and changes of psychic energy. Human knowing,
learning, thoughts, perceptions, understandings and experiences are other
mental processes which are becomings in
psychic energy [7]. Evolution of universe; chemical evolution; molecular and
macromolecular evolution, evolution of proto-cells, cells, tissues, organs and
organisms, evolution of consciousness, all come under physical,
physicochemical, chemical and biological times.
Thus all physical, chemical, biological matter
has phases of origin, being/becoming
and dissolution (cessation) which are becomings
associated with matter and energy. Thus
becoming has also been construed to
be and constructed as time. Change
and becoming are constructed as scalar
time; Change in entropy taking place during change or becoming in chemical
and biological processes gives direction to
time. Thus time associated with change and becoming gives direction to
time and sustains it as vector
time. The same becomes scalar time when counting of that
duration of change or becoming is done.
The above three insights of time as time
essentially concern changes. Thus
changes of phase or place of matter or change of form of energy can be
construed as time. External monitoring of duration of these changes are measurements of time and
passage of time. All these measurements concern physical time. Thus physical time
consists of changes and measurement of duration of such changes. Simply, change is time [6].
The
missing of time:
A period is absent in the absence of a process. Duration is absent in the absence of a
period. ‘Time’ is absent in the absence of duration.
Thus time is missing in the
absence of a process, natural or non-natural.
Time is dependent on a natural or non-natural process for its
being. It has no independent existence
from the process or event or happening- physical, chemical, biological,
psychological, cosmological, social, political, or likewise [6]. Such a
physical existence as flow and period of a happening is the physical time. Thus the being and becoming of
matter/anti-matter and energy is physical time. The absence of such happening
is the missing or absence of time.
Qualitative
time (Vector or Implicit Time):
Time is thus an implicit physical quantity
like mass only in the sense that it is constructed by respective natural
forces, phases of matter, forms of energy and interactions among them during
the course of the process.. Time is also an inherent physical quantity like
velocity, force, energy etc, only when the duration and course of the process
are constructed by above mentioned physical quantities. Time differs in quality when constructed in different processes-physical, chemical, biological
and cosmic. Quality of qualitative time depends on nature of phase of matter
and natural forces constructing the duration and the nature of energy-forms
involved and their range. The durations are
constructed differently for different processes-physical, chemical,
biological, cosmological, psychological etc., Qualitative time is constructed by the respective process guided by
respective natural forces and never pre-exists the process. Thus time is
caused by the processes and follows the course of processes forming its locus
and is solely determined by the natural forces that cause the course of the
process. The direction of the course of
the process is the direction of time and its passage
Quantitative time (Scalar or Explicit
Time):
Quantitative time is external measurement of or count of, elapse of durations of
qualitative time created by natural forces involved. Quantitative time never influences the
duration or course or otherwise of the processes.
Momentum and velocity can be simultaneously
precisely measured for macroscopic bodies because of their large masses and
sizes and also “less” velocity associated with them when they are in motion.
In
addition the energy transformation associated with such processes is continuous.
Momentum and position of a fundamental
particle can not be simultaneously precisely measured (uncertainty principle)
because of the tiny size and small mass but normal values of charge and large
magnitudes of velocities attained or proximity in nano- spaces for the exchange
of charges associated with ionic phase of matter. Mass plays dominant role in macroscopic
world. Charge and velocity associated with the particle play dominant role in
micro- and nano-scopic world. We cannot conduct an experiment in reality where
‘a photon’ strikes ‘an electron’. Such an experiment is only a
thought-experiment. Existence and consciousness of time and passage of time are
of three kinds: Annihilation of time is termination of a process or eternal happening;
instantaneous happening or absence of happening.
Two differentiations/integrations take place at the same time and energy is expended to cover the distance/ displacement/ angular displacement/ amplitude of vibration
Loci of
physical time passage:
displays Figure I various propositions
on the locus (Path) of time while ‘flowing’. Ancient Indians proposed cyclic
path. We all modern people are following the idea of Galileo that path of time
flow is a straight line, i.e., linear passage of time.
Kinds of
Time:
Physics is a natural
scientific discipline which studies and contemplates on actions, reactions and
interactions concerning mass and charge and also matter and energy in time and
space. We have idea of space. But our concept of time is varied and exact nature
of time is unclear. Equivalence of
mass and energy is established in fundamental particle physics. Energy is time.
Energy transformation is time flow or passage of time. Transformation of energy
takes place through contact of matter or by induction (Field) through a
material medium or vacuum. Depending on this we have ‘digital’ and ‘analog’
nature of time. Activity is time. Cessation of activity is extinction of time.
Eternal activity is Timelessness. Activity is manifestation of transformation
of energy. If the transformation of energy is continuous and has finite duration classical time is created. If the transformation of energy is
discontinuous, discrete and has finite
duration, quantum time is created.
The changes of and to the universe which are infinite in nature create
cosmic time. None of these times is universal time being kept
and followed by us.
Classical
time: Analog nature of time
Uncertainty
principle: Complex Time:
Complex conjugates:
position x momentum p
a+ib a-ib
a
= value of position relating to present b = value momentum
relating to past or future
Energy E
Time t
x+iy x-iy
x
= value of energy relating to present y = value or instant of
time relating to past or future
Position changes with
velocity. But velocity need not change with position. (ex; uniform or constant
velocity
Chronons and Quantum time-
Digital nature of time:
Quantum
time-discretization of time in tune with discontinuous and discrete
transformation, transmission, transfer, emission or absorption of energy; Digital
nature of time; Squeezing of time-interval packing with energy
Cosmic
time ;
Time of conscious awareness and
mental time:
Present, past and future are the
real and imaginary dimensions of time in human time-sense, time-awareness and
notion of passage of time.
Qualitative time:
Time is not an implicit physical quantity
like mass. Time is also not an inherent physical quantity like velocity, force,
energy etc,. Time differs in quality
when constructed in different processes-physical, chemical, biological and
cosmic.
Quality
of qualitative time depends on nature of phase of matter and natural forces
constructing the duration and the nature of energy-forms involved and their
range. The durations are constructed differently for different
processes-physical, chemical, biological, cosmological, psychological etc.,. Qualitative
time is constructed by the respective process and never pre-exists the process.
This time is caused by the processes and follows the course of processes
forming its locus and is solely determined by the natural forces that cause the
course of the process.
Quantitative time:
Quantitative time is external measurement of or count of, elapse of durations of
qualitative time created by natural forces involved. Quantitative time never influences the
duration or course or otherwise of the processes.
Momentum and velocity can be simultaneously
precisely measured for macroscopic bodies because of their large masses and
sizes and also “less” velocity associated with them when they are in motion.
In
addition the energy transformation associated with such processes is continuous.
Momentum and position of a fundamental particle can not be
simultaneously precisely measured (uncertainty principle) because of the tiny
size and small mass but normal values of charge and large magnitudes of velocities
attained or proximity in nano spaces for the exchange of charges associated with
ionic phase of matter. Mass plays
dominant role in macroscopic world. Charge and velocity associated with the
particle play dominant role in micro- and nanoscopic world. We cannot conduct
an experiment in reality where ‘a photon’ strikes ‘an electron’. Such an
experiment is only a thought-experiment. Existence and consciousness of time
and passage of time are of three kinds: Annihilation of time is termination of
a process or eternal happening; instantaneous happening or absence of
happening.
Duration of time of happening of a process
or course of a process changes with energy transformation, energy absorption or
energy emission or energy transfer (velocity change, frequency of rotation or
vibration etc.,) but energy transformation etc., will not change with change of
time in a clock. Actually energy transformation etc., create passage of time
and time interval. Division of passage of time as past, present or future is
only human concern and is the result of human time-consciousness, memory and
imagination or expectation. Shape of a wave is locus of mass or particle in
motion. Time is created and constructed by physical, chemical, biological,
psychological or cosmological processes or changes. Time originates with start
of the process, evolves as duration entwined to the course of the process and
gets terminated with the completion of the process. Durations of all phenomena
(scientific, social, political, etc.,) are correlation of these constructed
times as durations with a uniform process going on in a clock or time-measuring
device or calendar. This correlation by human mind is time-measurement and
time-sense. When this correlation is done as hours, days, years etc., with an
egoistic mind time-sense is created within and time-conscious mental world is
created within of a human-being. Two differentiations/integrations take place
at same time and energy is expended to cover the distance/ displacement/
angular displacement/ amplitude of vibration
The concept and notion that processes take
place in time is not the truth.. Time
does not pre-exist processes-natural or non-natural- and is only constructed as
duration by natural forces initiating, sustaining and terminating such
respective processes. The reality that change - as movement or change or
becoming – defines, manifests and constructs time is to be realized. Time is a
consequence and not cause of processes. The presence of a universal time
passing either absolutely or relatively is to be denied.
Energy
is manifested in stationary or moving matter or anti-matter or mass or charge.
Time has two aspects – durational and metrical.
Time
is classified as movement, change or becoming.
Physical
Time is of three kinds- classical, quantum and cosmic.
Time
is both analog and digital as duration or counting.
Time
measurement is a correlation of courses or on-goings of two parallel
unconnected processes, the measured and the measuring. The course of the
measured process is solely guided by
respective natural forces and the course of the second, the time-measuring
processes is manifestation and division
of energy transformation from one form into another in the clock that is
counting and exhibiting time-flow and time-period as fractions of second,
seconds, minutes etc.,.
Continuous
presence or continuous transformation of matter, charge or energy is
manifestation of physical time.
The
property of a physical quantity is a function of its nature constructed and
defined by natural forces influencing and guiding it and material with which it
is made up of.; and is not a function of observer’s relative position or
relative velocity.
The
extension of a time interval is decided
by nature and amount of mass or charge or energy that is transforming or
getting transferred and the natural forces acting in that domain.
The
time interval is constructed and does not pre-exist or shapes natural or
non-natural processes.
Ancient
Indians, the Chinese and the Greeks have made substantial contributions in this
regard. Movement, change and becoming
are presently alternatively used to describe Time.
Truth is simple. Use of complex mathematics is not necessary
if the concept is clear expression about Truth and Reality will be simple and
without confusion.
Time is
the consequence of processes and not the cause of processes.
We need
transformation of energy to happen for action to take place. Transformation of energy can be change of
form of energy through matter or anti-matter or change of phase or state of
matter or anti-matter by the aid of energy.
On
the non-presence of time: Annihilation of time-Eternity; instantaneous
happening; Absence of happening
REFERENCES:
[1] Penrose, R, The Emperor’s New Mind (Oxford
University Press, 1989), p. 371.
[2] Zwart, P.J., About Time, North-Holland Publishing Company,
(Amesterdam-Oxford, 1976).
[3] Stephen W. Hawking, A Brief History of Time (Bantam Books,
New York, 1989).
[4] Peter Covency and Roger Highfield, The arrow of time: A voyage through Science
to solve Time’s greatest mystery (Fawcert Columbine, New York, 1991).
[5] Stephen W. Hawking, The Universe in a Nutshell (Bantam
Books, New York, 2001).
[6] Ramabrahmam, V., ‘Being and
Becoming: A Physics and Upanishadic
Awareness of Time and Thought Process’, Ludus Vitalis, XIII,
(24), 139 (2005).
[7] Ramabrahmam, V, The myth of
keeping universal time- The absence of absolute, true and mathematical time: A
physics and physicochemical insight. Communicated
[8] Ramabrahmam, V, The Significance and Use
of Absence, Bharatiya Bauddhika Sampada ,
November, 7 (2003).
[9] Ramabrahmam, V., The science of human
consciousness, Ludus Vitalis, XV,
(27), 127 (2007).
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