In mathematical physics, Minkowski space or Minkowski spacetime (named after the mathematician Hermann Minkowski) is the mathematical setting in which Einstein's theory of special relativity is most conveniently formulated. In this setting the three ordinary dimensions of space are combined with a single dimension of time to form a four-dimensional manifold for representing a spacetime.
In theoretical physics, Minkowski space is often contrasted with Euclidean space. While a Euclidean space has only spacelike dimensions, a Minkowski space also has one timelike dimension. Therefore the symmetry group of a Euclidean space is the Euclidean group and for a Minkowski space it is the Poincaré group.
The spacetime interval between two events in Minkowski space is either:
- space-like,
- light-like ('null') or
- time-like.
Read more about Minkowski Space: History, Structure, Alternative Definition, Lorentz Transformations and Symmetry, Causal Structure, Reversed Triangle Inequality, Locally Flat Spacetime
Famous quotes containing the word space:
“There is commonly sufficient space about us. Our horizon is never quite at our elbows.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)