Expert: Philip Stahl - 7/21/2005

Question
Do we have a hypothesis or deduction with regard to what could be a void (something that lacks energy and mass)?

If there is, what would be the most respected scientific and mathematical perspective, and what is the best source of information on this subject?

Answer
Hello.


If one postulates an absolute void, without matter *or* energy, one in effect postulates something that can't exist so far as we know. It would be like looking for a box 'with no sides'.

Pure, absolute space, but no medium by which to define it.

The problem is that Einstein in his special relativity theory, disproved the existence of any absolute space. Rather, space-time exists as a continuum, and we describe events in 4 dimensions of this continuum (x, y, z, t) not three.

If indeed, a void existed wherein no mass or energy resided- it would have to be not only a vacuum for mass, but a vacuum for time.

While we can approach a perfect mass vacuum - we have no remote idea or concept of what a temporal vacuum would even look like. (Other than being some kind of infinite 'hole' in the fabric of space-time).

If such temporal vacuums existed, they'd establish that time could exist in the absence of change. This makes no conceptual sense, since our entire science is predicated on using time to define change in nature. Everything from atomic oscillations, to electro-magnetic waves propagating through space. To the action of fields on point masses and charges in their vicinity.

What all this means is that a perfect void represents an entity that can't be integrated into our modern scientific purview.

Not unless other theories (e.g. Einstein's) are found totally in error, and absolute time and space theories (such as Isaac Newton held) are re-vindicated.