absolute space

(noun)

A concept introduced by Newton that assumes space remains always similar and immovable.

Related Terms

Examples of absolute space in the following topics:

  • Gallilean-Newtonian Relativity

    • There exists an absolute space in which Newton's laws are true.
    • An inertial frame is a reference frame in relative uniform motion to absolute space.
    • But it is assumed to hold in absolute space, therefore Galilean relativity holds.

  • Absolute Temperature

    • Absolute temperature is the most commoly used thermodyanmic temperature unit and is the standard unit of temperature.
    • Thermodynamic temperature is the absolute measure of temperature.
    • The kelvin (or "absolute temperature") is the standard thermodyanmic temperature unit.
    • Absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature, is defined precisely as 0 K and −273.15 °C.
    • Here, the size of helium atoms relative to their spacing is shown to scale under 1950 atmospheres of pressure.

  • Simultaneity

    • The relativity of simultaneity is the concept that simultaneity is not absolute, but depends on the observer's reference frame.
    • The relativity of simultaneity is the concept that simultaneity–whether two events occur at the same time–is not absolute, but depends on the observer's frame of reference.
    • According to the theory of special relativity, it is impossible to say in an absolute sense whether two distinct events occur at the same time if those events are separated in space, such as a car crash in London and another in New York.
    • In 1905, Albert Einstein abandoned the (classical) aether and emphasized the significance of relativity of simultaneity to our understanding of space and time.
    • He deduced the failure of absolute simultaneity from two stated assumptions: 1) the principle of relativity–the equivalence of inertial frames, such that the laws of physics apply equally in all inertial coordinate systems; 2) the constancy of the speed of light detected in empty space, independent of the relative motion of its source.

  • Matrix and Vector Norms

    • For scalars, the obvious answer is the absolute value.
    • The absolute value of a scalar has the property that it is never negative and it is zero if and only if the scalar itself is zero.
    • A norm is a function from the space of vectors onto the scalars, denoted by $\| \cdot \|$ satisfying the following properties for any two vectors $v$ and $u$ and any scalar $\alpha$ :

  • Absolute Zero

    • Absolute zerois the coldest possible temperature.
    • Absolute zero is universal in the sense that all matteris in ground state at this temperature .
    • The uncertainty principle states that the position of a particle cannot be determined with absolute precision; therefore a particle is in motion even if it is at absolute zero, and a ground state still carries a minimal amount of kinetic energy.
    • The zero point of a thermodynamic temperature scale, such as the Kelvin scale, is set at absolute zero.
    • Explain why absolute zero is a natural choice as the null point for a temperature unit system

  • Interference

    • Unlike solid objects, two waves can share a point in space.
    • The idea that interference is caused by superposition means that when two waves meet their two amplitudes (their maximum absolute value) combine together.

  • The Third Law

    • According to the third law of thermodynamics, the entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute zero is exactly equal to zero.
    • The third law of thermodynamics is sometimes stated as follows: The entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute zero is exactly equal to zero.
    • Nernst proposed that the entropy of a system at absolute zero would be a well-defined constant.
    • This law provides an absolute reference point for the determination of entropy. ( diagrams the temperature entropy of nitrogen. ) The entropy (S) determined relative to this point is the absolute entropy represented as follows:
    • Absolute value of entropy can be determined shown here, thanks to the third law of thermodynamics.

  • Kelvin Scale

    • The kelvin is a unit of measurement for temperature; the null point of the Kelvin scale is absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature.
    • The Kelvin scale is an absolute, thermodynamic temperature scale using absolute zero as its null point.
    • In the classical description of thermodynamics, absolute zero is the temperature at which all thermal motion ceases.
    • The choice of absolute zero as null point for the Kelvin scale is logical.
    • Subtracting 273.16K from the temperature of the triple point of water, 0.01°C, makes absolute zero (0K) equivalent to -273.15°C and -460°F .

  • Color Vision

    • The colors in between these absolutes are seen as different linear combinations of RGB.
    • You can go from RGB to YUV color spaces with the following matrix operation:
    • The sensitivity to luminance drops off at low spatial frequencies, showing that we are not very good at estimating absolute luminance levels as long as they do not change with time - the luminance sensitivity to temporal fluctuations (flicker) does not fall off at low spatial frequencies.

  • Gauge Pressure and Atmospheric Pressure

    • Pressure is often measured as gauge pressure, which is defined as the absolute pressure minus the atmospheric pressure.
    • The situation changes when extreme vacuum pressures are measured; absolute pressures are typically used instead.
    • To find the absolute pressure of a system, the atmospheric pressure must then be added to the gauge pressure.
    • While gauge pressure is very useful in practical pressure measurements, most calculations involving pressure, such as the ideal gas law, require pressure values in terms of absolute pressures and thus require gauge pressures to be converted to absolute pressures.
    • Explain the relationship among absolute pressure, gauge pressure, and atmospheric pressure