The Nature and Cause of Time.

Main theme: The cause of time and its physical nature derived from the transfer of energy between masses.

Contents: Mass and Time Basis, Change, Energy and Force, Principle of Action,, Particles of Time, Time Waves 

Abstract:

Time has become one of the greatest mysteries of science and philosophy; which has been debated, investigated and written about for centuries. The answer to time’s dilemma always appears to escape us, not being able to come to any agreeable conclusion regarding its true nature. Have we been looking at time from the wrong angle? Possibly the answer lies at the atomic level, not with the concept of space-time. Energy is the source of all chemical, biological and physical events in one form or another, either directly or indirectly. This paper therefore puts forward assumptions that might call for a re-evaluation about the nature of time. Apart from seeing time as a mathematical concept,  its physical concept can be shown to have a direct relationship with matter. It can be shown that energy is responsible for the continuous creation and decay of time, which gives rise to the product we call time flow. Logic, although not evidence in itself, indicates this is so. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether or not time does indeed have a physical existence, and the two central questions of my investigation has been: 'What is time', and 'What causes time'? Proof of time’s existence will be a tough ordeal, but this paper considers three basic assumptions about time, which leads to definable principles that can expose the nature and cause of time. If the assumptions and principles presented here can be accepted as valid, then perhaps we can at last draw an agreeable conclusion about the nature of time, showing that time does indeed exist and have physical properties.

Introduction:

In the beginning I had no preconceived ideas about time, except that it passes by every second of the day, and by that process we all grow old. My mind was open. I didn't consider time to be illusory, nor did I consider time to have physical properties. There was however, one central question brooding in my mind - what is time? 

    I soon realised there was no possible way of answering that question without first knowing what causes time. Investigating the cause of time therefore, became my first objective, and this paper is the result of that investigation.

    Why have we failed to develop a good hypothesis or theory that haven’t as yet received a unanimous vote of acceptance?

    Perhaps its because time has such a wide application in all fields of investigation, and as a result, has been interpreted in many ways according to the dictates of a particular field of study, leading to differing opinions of thought. There is obvious evidence of this in the field of philosophy and physics where each has differing schools of thought regarding time. 

    So, where do we begin? Well, for the purpose of this hypothesis we need to break away from the current concept of space and time being inseparably connected. I can agree that space and time have a mathematical relationship, and by virtue of this relationship can be considered inseparable in geometrical terms, but not in physical terms.

    In physical terms, the strongest evidence of time is related to events that pass by every second of every day, so we need to assume that time is directly related to matter on the basis that it’s matter which advances through time.

    Based on the assumption that time is related to matter, we need to investigate what that relationship is and how they relate, and whether or not it leads us to the concept of time having physical properties that can account for its behaviour? If we find it does, then we should be able to determine whether or not time exist, have a flow quality; whether or not the past and future exists and how it relates to the present and the moment we call ‘now’, and also allow us to define what time itself is.

     To begin the investigation, let’s see what general assumptions we can make about the nature of time based on current understanding. Some of the questions may sound philosophical but they are deeply relevant to scientific enquiry.

Three General Assumptions:  .

There appears to be two basic schools of thought with respect to time, namely:

a)    Time has no physical existence; it’s merely an illusion of the mind,

therefore does not flow in the external world; so it can be assumed there is no future or past, and only the present is real.

b)    Time has real physical existence; so it can be assumed time flows, and there is a past, a present and a future.

How can we resolve this apparently opposing problem of time? In fact, both statements are true. School (a), the idea of time being an illusion, is a conscious response or an experience derived from physical time. The two schools of thought can be unified into one working component.  However, the prime essence of this paper isn't to compare differing views of two schools, but to determine whether or not time has physical properties.

    So let's begin with one of the most fundamental features of time that most can agree with, which is change.  Everything in our universe changes, some slowly, some very quickly, some changes are almost instantaneous.

    We have changes in size, mass, position, chemical make-up, physical appearances, etc. Without change, all things in nature would be static.

            1^st assumption:   

Change is a fundamental feature of nature, therefore must be a fundamental feature of passing time. Without change there can be no displacement of mass and energy and no advancement or progression of matter and  events.

Adding to this, Newton proposed that a body at rest or in motion, could not change unless a force acts on that body. This in effect is saying that ‘nothing changes unless there is something that causes a change’. The cause of any change will of necessity have to be a force or source of energy, which as we shall see is a key component to understanding time within this investigation.

2^nd Assumption:

Change is the result of a cause derived from a source of energy or an applied force, which has an influence on the course of events and the passage of time. Even thought processes, which can have a direct influence on events and people, is energy related.

If energy is the cause of change, and change is a feature of time, then we need to assume there is a relationship between time and cause.  Also, if cause can be related to a source of energy, and energy has it's origin at the atomic level, not only do we need to investigate the relationship between time and cause, we will also need to investigate energy and its link with atomic structure with regards to time and its cause.

            3^rd Assumption:

The passing of time appears to have energy as its source of origin derived from atomic activity, thereby creating 'cause' which creates the 'effect' of continuous change of matter. Therefore, it can be assumed there is a link between the atomic structure of matter and time. 

From these three assumptions; ‘change’, ‘cause of change through energy or applied forces’ and its ‘relationship with the atomic structure of matter’, therefore is the basis of this investigation and for the formulation of a testable hypothesis or theory on the nature and cause of time.

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