concept of "space-time continuum" is one of the central problems in modern perception of the physical picture of the world.This theory is based on the idea of the modern world from the perspective of four key dimensions - three of them belong to spatial characteristics, and the fourth - to the time.
space-time continuum as the basic model describing the surrounding reality, aspires to create the most comprehensive picture of the world.At the same time constantly emerging theory that put some of this theory and the whole concept as a whole into question.
basis for modern concepts of space and time was laid more than a hundred years ago with the publication of the general theory of relativity of Einstein.Building on its position, Einstein and his followers have come to the conclusion that each of the three spatial characteristics, as, indeed, and time continuum, are equivalent to each other, so the only directly from the observer depends on which of them will be accepted as the starting frame of reference.
movement, space and time are characteristics of reality that is constantly changing.The main mechanism by which the interaction of these elements with all the physical bodies, is gravity.
primary concepts characterizing the space-time continuum, according to Einstein's theory, a kind of "event", which is nothing else than having specific characteristics point of having a clear spatial and temporal coordinates.
All these points are not random, but in strict accordance with the basic axioms underlying the theory.The most important axioms should include the concept of order, topological axioms, the basic principle of which is the principle of dimension axiom of admissible coordinate systems, as well as all the basic axioms of arithmetic.
space-time continuum - a non-stop, constantly changing its shape diversity.At the same time it has a volume character and can, depending on various external conditions change its curvature.
special place in this theory is given time continuum.Many scientists do not agree that it has the same rights and may be the same frame of reference, as well as the spatial characteristics - length, width, height.But the fact is that one of the fundamental tenets of the theory of relativity is the recognition of dependence of the speed of the observer, which is the starting point of reference.Thus, we see that the time continuum depends on the spatial characteristics as, however, depends on the very last time.
If our planet is a four-dimensional space is quite usual and understandable, at the level of the universe, many scientists have already isolated more levels.For example, one of the first versions of the famous "superstring theory" meant the inevitability of the existence of 27 dimensions.Today, their number has decreased to ten, although the characteristics themselves "extra" dimensions considerably complicated.
