We define an \"event\" as something that has zero width in both space and time.

Question

We define an "event" as something that has zero width in both space and time. The physics building has "width in space" because it is 60 m or so long. A physics class has "width in space" of 55 minutes (typically) rather than being at a single time.

Question 1 For each of the following situations, indicate whether the situation is or is not an event in the physics definition of the word (zero area in space-time).

-That midnight to 3 a.m. party on the corner of the street that occurred on October 15th, 2005.

-Saturday football games in the stadium.

-German heritage communities around the world celebrating Oktoberfest on Oct 1, 2005.

-A firecracker exploding 50 m above the center of the Main St. bridge on the 4th of July last year.

Explanation / Answer

Solution:

1) This is NOT an Event because it has width (That midnight to 3 a.m. party).

2) Saturday football games in the stadium. is Not an Event , since it has a width which is equal to the duration of the game .

3) German heritage communities around the world celebrating Oktoberfest on Oct 1, 2005.is Not an Event since it is not zero Width.

4) An event , according to the definition is one that has Zero width.

So a fire cracker bursting has Zero width and is said to be an Event.

It might have exploded at a 50 m altitude , but the explosion itself is a Zero width and hence an Event.

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