Local spacetime structure
Encyclopedia
Local spacetime structure refers to the structure of spacetime
on a local level, i.e. only considering those points in an open region of a point. This notion is useful in many areas of physics
, most notably in Einstein's theory of general relativity
.
Spacetime
In physics, spacetime is any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single continuum. Spacetime is usually interpreted with space as being three-dimensional and time playing the role of a fourth dimension that is of a different sort from the spatial dimensions...
on a local level, i.e. only considering those points in an open region of a point. This notion is useful in many areas of physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, most notably in Einstein's theory of general relativity
General relativity
General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916. It is the current description of gravitation in modern physics...
.
See also
- Global spacetime structure
- Mathematics of general relativityMathematics of general relativityThe mathematics of general relativity refers to various mathematical structures and techniques that are used in studying and formulating Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity. The main tools used in this geometrical theory of gravitation are tensor fields defined on a Lorentzian manifold...
- Local reference frameLocal reference frameIn theoretical physics, a local reference frame refers to a coordinate system or frame of reference that is only expected to function over a small region or a restricted region of space or spacetime....