Simultaneity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Look up simultaneity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Simultaneity is the property of two events happening at the same time in at least one reference frame.
The noun Simult means a supernatural coincidence, two or more divinely inspired events that occur at or near the same period of time that are related to each other in both noticeable and unnoticeable characteristics [Latin simul, at the same time; see sem-1 in Indo-European Roots + English -taneous(as in instantaneous)].
- In criminal law, for a criminal violation to be established, it must be shown that there was simultaneity of actus reus and mens rea.
- In mathematics, a system of equations or a set of simultaneous equations share variables; a solution is a set of variable values for which all these equations are satisfied together.
- In music, see: simultaneity (music).
- In modern physics two events may be simultaneous with respect to a time event as follows:
A central event (0,0) is used to anchor a spacetime plane {(x, t) in RxR} = ST where x measures distance in units of 30 centimeters and t measures time in nanoseconds. Space events satisfy |x| > |t| and the time events satisfy |x| < |t|. Now a space event e is simultaneous with the origin (0,0), with respect to a time event z, if e and z are hyperbolic-orthogonal points in ST. Two events g and h in ST are simultaneous with respect to z if their difference g - h in ST is hyperbolic-orthogonal to z.
- In marketing, simultaneity is one of the characteristics of a service which differentiates it from a product. It refers to the idea that the production and consumption of a service occur simultaneously, making it impossible to produce and store a service prior to consumption.
- Important ideas and inventions are often created 'simultaneously' by independent, contemporary individuals when 'the time is ripe'. (Note: a coincidence does not prove a relationship.) This phenomenon is referred to by the saying 'Great minds think alike' — though it is not limited to great minds. In modern times it has led to many patent squabbles and 'who was first' controversies. Some examples:
- The theory of evolution was developed independently by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace
- Calculus arose in different forms in the work of Newton and Leibniz
- Hyperbolic geometry, developed by János Bolyai and Nikolai Lobachevsky
- Early work on radio transmission by Hertz, Marconi and Tesla.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- Peter Galison. Einstein's Clocks, Poincaré's Maps. New York, W. W. Norton, 2003. ISBN 0-393-02001-0. Excellent insights into the climate that surrounded Einstein at the time that he created special relativity.
