A domain of spacetime intervals in general relativity
نویسندگان
چکیده
We prove that a globally hyperbolic spacetime with its causality relation is a bicontinuous poset whose interval topology is the manifold topology. From this one can show that from only a countable dense set of events and the causality relation, it is possible to reconstruct a globally hyperbolic spacetime in a purely order theoretic manner. The ultimate reason for this is that globally hyperbolic spacetimes belong to a category that is equivalent to a special category of domains called interval domains. We obtain a mathematical setting in which one can study causality independently of geometry and differentiable structure, and which also suggests that spacetime emerges from something discrete.
منابع مشابه
Introduction to Tensor Calculus for General Relativity
There are three essential ideas underlying general relativity (GR). The first is that spacetime may be described as a curved, four-dimensional mathematical structure called a pseudo-Riemannian manifold. In brief, time and space together comprise a curved fourdimensional non-Euclidean geometry. Consequently, the practitioner of GR must be familiar with the fundamental geometrical properties of c...
متن کاملSpacetime and Euclidean Geometry
Using only the principle of relativity and Euclidean geometry we show in this pedagogical article that the square of proper time or length in a two-dimensional spacetime diagram is proportional to the Euclidean area of the corresponding causal domain. We use this relation to derive the Minkowski line element by two geometric proofs of the spacetime Pythagoras theorem. Introduction Spacetime dia...
متن کاملGeneral relativity histories theory II : Invariance groups
In this paper we show in detail how the histories description of general relativity carries representations of both the spacetime diffeomorphisms group and the Dirac algebra of constraints. We show that the introduction of metric-dependent equivariant foliations leads to the crucial result that the canonical constraints are invariant under the action of spacetime diffeomorphisms. Furthermore, t...
متن کاملThree Common Misconceptions in General Relativity
We highlight and resolve what we take to be three common misconceptions in general relativity, relating to (a) the interpretation of the weak equivalence principle and the relationship between gravity and inertia; (b) the connection between gravitational redshift results and spacetime curvature; and (c) the strong equivalence principle and the local recovery of special relativity in curved, dyn...
متن کاملDesperately Seeking Curved-spacetime — Turn to Experimental Resolution?
Gravity whose nature is fundamental to the understanding of solar system, galaxies and the structure and evolution of the Universe, is theorized by the assumption of curved spacetime, according to Einstein , s general theory of relativity (EGR). Particles which experience gravity only, move on curved spacetime along straight lines (geodesics). The geodesics are determined by curved-spacetime me...
متن کامل