Absolute time and space

Absolute space is postulated by Isaac Newton, both the observer and the objects it contains and physical processes that take place in independent physical space. Albert Einstein's theory of relativity replaced absolute space by a dynamic space-time, in the space depends both on the observer as well as the distribution and motion of matter contained.

In the notion of absolute space are all the movements relative rather than to absolute space. However, the laws of mechanics do not allow us to measure a constant speed relative to absolute space ( Galilean invariance ).

The bucket argument

The central argument for a Newton's absolute space is as follows:

A water-filled bucket is hung from a rope. Twisted to the rope and let the bucket go, this will start to rotate. Initially, the water surface is still flat. After a short time the water goes through frictional forces with the rotation of the bucket and it forms a concave surface. Holding the bucket to the water will rotate even further and keep its concave surface. Since motion, uniform or accelerated, can be determined only in relation to another object, thought Newton, which point of reference he provided an otherwise empty room, can take for the rotation of the water. The bucket can not be taken as a reference point. At the beginning of the experiment ( the bucket begins to rotate ) is a relative motion between the bucket and the water observed. When the water is co-rotates no relative movement anymore. At the very end, when the bucket is stopped, a relative motion is observable again. One sees that the water surface is concave in existing and not existing rotation of the bucket. The bucket as a reference point consequently be ruled out. Since Newton except the water bucket did not allow further objects in the room, he lacked a reference point to determine if the water does not rotate or.

To escape this dilemma, Newton introduced the absolute space. Absolute space was the last absolute reference system for Newton. An object is for him alone, when it is at rest with respect to absolute space, and an object for him is in motion when it is in terms of absolute space in motion. Whether the water rotates, he was able to determine with respect to absolute space. (see Brian Greene: The Fabric of the Cosmos is, Siedler Verlag 2004, pp. 39ff )

And the Foucault pendulum is an example of such a measurement independent of rotations of the external objects. Foucault thus showed that the Earth itself rotates and not the starry sky to the earth.

Another interpretation of this experiment is the Mach principle. This explains the influence of the centrifugal force as distant masses and therefore does not require absolute space from.