What is space? Does he have boundaries? What science can give the correct answers to these questions? With this we will try to figure it out in our article.
Philosophical concept
Before characterizing space, one must understand that this term is far from unambiguous. The concept of space appears in mathematics, physics, geography, philosophy, religion and science fiction. Different disciplines understand it differently and find their own interpretations depending on the tasks at hand. The simplest and most mundane definition is the following: space is a place in which something fits; distance between different objects.
Philosophy considers it as one of the fundamental categories, inextricably linked with time. This is the relationship between different objects, their mutual position, connection in a specific period of time. It is the certainty of being, characterizing the mode of existence of matter.
According to philosophy, space has specific properties, namely, extension, heterogeneity, structure, anisotropy, continuity. It constantly interacts with time, forming the so-called chronotope.
Introduction ofspace: story
The notion of space has existed since ancient times. Then it was divided into different levels, forming the worlds of gods, man and spirits, being multi-layered and heterogeneous. The first important impetus in the evolution of this concept comes from Euclid. With the help of geometry, he explains space as infinite and homogeneous. Giordano Bruno, studying celestial bodies, singles out absolute and relative space and time.
Supporters of Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry appear among the exact sciences. There are theories about the curvature of space, N-dimensional spaces. For a long period, time and space are considered separately, assuming that they do not affect matter.
In the 20th century, Einstein discovers the theory of relativity. According to her, time, space and matter are interconnected. Einstein concludes the following: if all matter is removed from space, then there will be no space itself.
Math
Mathematical discipline considers space through the prism of logic, however, it does not do without the participation of philosophy. The main problem here is the relationship between reality and the world of abstract constructions that are characteristic of mathematics. As elsewhere, this science tries to explain the phenomenon with the help of specific calculations, therefore, for it, space is a set with a structure.
Mathematics defines it as an environment in which various objects and objects are carried out. It all comes down to elementary geometry, where shapes (points) exist in one or more planes. Concerningthere was a need to somehow characterize, measure the space. To do this, mathematicians use such characteristics as length, mass, speed, time, volume, etc.
In mathematical science, it is customary to distinguish the following types of space: Euclidean, Athenian, Hilbert, Vector, Probabilistic, two-dimensional, three-dimensional and even eight-dimensional. In total, at least 22 types are distinguished in mathematics.
Physics
If mathematics tries to translate the essence into numbers, then physics tries to feel everything, to touch it. Then she comes to the conclusion that space is a kind of substance that does not manifest itself materially, but can be filled with something. It is infinite and unchanging. It is an arena for various processes and phenomena, while it does not affect them and is not affected by itself.
Physics considers space from several points of view. The first defines it as a physical - three-dimensional - quantity, where the processes of the ordinary, everyday world unfold. Where bodies and objects perform various movements and mechanical movements.
The second understanding of this term is intertwined with mathematical models. This is an abstract space. It is usually used to describe and solve problems related to the physical three-dimensional world. Here, unlike mathematics, its new types appear, for example, the space of speeds, states, color space.
Fantastic theories
Reasoning about the essence and properties of spaceled scientists to produce various fantastic ideas. Based on scientific facts and assumptions, they are constantly building new theories about the incredible human capabilities.
One of these ideas appeared back in the 17th century with Johannes Kepler. It concerns hyperspace, a four-dimensional environment that allows you to travel through time and distance at speeds that exceed the speed of light. Another theory says that the universe is able to expand and form "pockets", inside which all physical laws lose their force, and space and time may not even exist.
Every year more and more such seemingly crazy ideas are born. However, they are united by the fact that they are all on the verge of science and fiction. And no one knows which side will outweigh the next incredible theory.
Outer space
Understanding of space by various sciences is not limited to the Earth. Given that physics allows its infinity, we can talk about a significant expansion of the boundaries, for example, to the Universe (the main system, the totality of everything that is in the world).
Unfilled with any bodies areas between objects in the Universe - this is outer space. It is located outside the celestial bodies, and therefore outside the Earth and its atmosphere. However, the "space void" is still filled with something: it consists of particles of hydrogen, interstellar matter and electromagnetic radiation.
It would seem that if there are objects that are not included in space, then you can clearlydetermine its beginning. In fact, it is difficult to do this, since the earth's atmosphere is gradually rarefied, and its boundaries are significantly blurred. To separate the atmosphere and space, the international community has adopted a conditional height of 100 kilometers. Although many astronomers are sure that space begins only 120 kilometers from the surface of the Earth.
Aerial and open space
Unlike space, which does not include the earth's atmosphere, there are concepts that are directly related to it. For example, airspace. Space is a multifaceted term. It is ambiguous and appears in physics, philosophy, culture. Airspace is mostly related to law and geography. It is part of our planet's atmosphere, and its boundaries are governed by international law.
The term "open space" is essentially the same thing. This is a territory that does not belong to any country. It is located outside the territorial waters of coastal states and is an international property accessible to all.
Religion
Space is one of the main issues of any religious beliefs, which give it a slightly different meaning. Usually it has a clear vertical structure, which is determined by the hierarchy of components (from the upper world to the lower).
Religious beliefs give rise to the concept of sacred space, that is, one that is constantly experiencing the action of higher forces. In this case, under sacred influence, it is capable ofbe transformed and qualitatively different from the rest of the space.
Conclusion
Space is a complex and multifaceted concept, the essence of which has been troubling scientists and mystics for hundreds of years. There are a huge number of similar and completely opposite points of view that define this concept. All of them agree that space is a medium, an arena, a platform for the implementation of various forms and processes. The structure and properties of this medium are still the subject of heated scientific discussions.
