Wikipedia says this about space-time:
"In physics, spacetime (also space–time, space time or space–time continuum) is any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single interwoven continuum. The spacetime of our universe is usually interpreted from a Euclidean space perspective, which regards space as consisting of three dimensions, and time as consisting of one dimension, the "fourth dimension". By combining space and time into a single manifold called Minkowski space, physicists have significantly simplified a large number of physical theories, as well as described in a more uniform way the workings of the universe at both the supergalactic and subatomic levels.
In non-relativistic classical mechanics, the use of Euclidean space instead of spacetime is appropriate, as time is treated as universal and constant, being independent of the state of motion of an observer. In relativistic contexts, time cannot be separated from the three dimensions of space, because the observed rate at which time passes for an object depends on the object's velocity relative to the observer and also on the strength of gravitational fields, which can slow the passage of time for an object as seen by an observer outside the field."
I like to welcome your views on this! Thanks - Sundar
"Philosophers have debated the nature of time long before Einstein and modern physics. But in the 106 years since Einstein, the prevailing view in physics has been that time serves as the fourth dimension of space, an arena represented mathematically as 4D Minkowski space-time."
See some interesting thoughts in these links.
http://phys.org/news/2012-04-physicists-abolish-fourth-dimension-space.html
http://www.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/teaching/HPS_0410/chapters_2015_Jan_1/four_dimensions/index.html
Space-time is 4 dimensional, but how do you imagine time as 4D ?
"Philosophers have debated the nature of time long before Einstein and modern physics. But in the 106 years since Einstein, the prevailing view in physics has been that time serves as the fourth dimension of space, an arena represented mathematically as 4D Minkowski space-time."
See some interesting thoughts in these links.
http://phys.org/news/2012-04-physicists-abolish-fourth-dimension-space.html
http://www.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/teaching/HPS_0410/chapters_2015_Jan_1/four_dimensions/index.html
Stephen Hawking explaining the fourth dimension.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPTzT4U3RIU
Here is a good summary of space time relationship through the period with different scientists that have provided various viewpoints.
https://einstein.stanford.edu/SPACETIME/spacetime2.html
Dear Vladan Celebonovic and Prof. Nageswara Rao:
Wikipedia says this about space-time:
"In physics, spacetime (also space–time, space time or space–time continuum) is any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single interwoven continuum. The spacetime of our universe is usually interpreted from a Euclidean space perspective, which regards space as consisting of three dimensions, and time as consisting of one dimension, the "fourth dimension". By combining space and time into a single manifold called Minkowski space, physicists have significantly simplified a large number of physical theories, as well as described in a more uniform way the workings of the universe at both the supergalactic and subatomic levels.
In non-relativistic classical mechanics, the use of Euclidean space instead of spacetime is appropriate, as time is treated as universal and constant, being independent of the state of motion of an observer. In relativistic contexts, time cannot be separated from the three dimensions of space, because the observed rate at which time passes for an object depends on the object's velocity relative to the observer and also on the strength of gravitational fields, which can slow the passage of time for an object as seen by an observer outside the field."
Not sure if you expressed your question correctly ? The way you wrote it, it means "is it true that there are 4 dimensions to time? ", i.e. 4 timelike dimensions, but perhaps what you meant was 'is it true that time constitutes an interchangeable 4th dimension (but time itself is one-dimensional)?
If the former meaning - Itzhak Bars is one of the people who have pioneered the idea of several timelike dimensions. A very interesting approach, which seems to resolve some abiding issues in physics (in a nutshell, QCD calculations would seem to favor certain reactions over others, an asymmetry that has however never been observed experimentally, and which disappears if there are really 2 dimensions of time.) Read Paul Davies's "About Time" for a general-level exposition.
If you meant the latter - then yes, Time can be considered as a fully interchangeable dimension of the same essence as the other ('spacelike') dimensions. Inside a black hole, time and dimensions may even swap. This has a few interesting and unexpected consequences by the way, if spacetime is, as is virtually certain, discrete (but that's another tale).
Time is described as a dimension much like length, width, and height. Space and time are tangled together in a sort of a four-dimensional fabric called space-time. Space-time can be thought of as a piece of spandex with four dimensions. When something that has mass sits in that piece of four-dimensional spandex, it causes it to create a dimple which is a manifestation of space-time bending to accommodate this mass. The bending of space-time cause objects to move on a curved path and that curvature of space is what we know as gravity. Mathematically one can go backwards or forwards in the three spatial dimensions. But time doesn’t share this multi-directional freedom.
//Mathematically one can go backwards or forwards in the three spatial dimensions. But time doesn’t share this multi-directional freedom.///
Some science-fiction movies like "Back to the Future" , Terminator" and "Star Trek: IV" have explored the theme of travelling backwards in time.
In fact, we have defined and measured time in our own perspectives more like subjectively, conveniently, and intuitively from a very long time ago. For example, we have used sun as a relative object to help us do so. Scientifically and objectively speaking, we still have trouble to define and measure it. If we could break the frontier of further understanding time, time travel would be possible accompanied by other breakthroughs in those fields like medical, material science, mechanics, and molecular biology. In my opinion, time is related to motion (from very large object to very small single cell to even smaller unit that we just don't know yet), space, gravitational pull, history, and philosophy.
Time is usually considered as the 4th dimension, but we cannot go backward in time..
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