A Temporal Universe: Reinterpreting Gravity and Spacetime as Propagating Particle Time-Experience

J. Rogers, SE Ohio, 16 Mar 2025

Abstract:

This paper proposes a radical reinterpretation of gravity and spacetime, shifting from the conventional view of spacetime curvature as a consequence of mass-energy to a fundamentally temporal perspective. We hypothesize that spacetime curvature, and thus gravity, is not sourced by "mysterious mass-energy stuff," but rather is the macroscopic manifestation of the collective, propagating "time-experience" of fundamental particles. This vision unifies energy, gravity, spacetime curvature, and the experience of proper time as different facets of a single, underlying temporal reality. We explore the implications of this "Temporal Universe" paradigm, suggesting it offers a more intuitive understanding of gravity, a natural explanation for time dilation, and a potential pathway towards unifying gravity with quantum mechanics.

1. Introduction: Beyond Mass-Energy - Time as the Primordial Essence

Einstein's General Relativity revolutionized our understanding of gravity, revealing it not as a force in space, but as the curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass-energy. However, despite its profound success, the nature of spacetime curvature and its fundamental origin remain conceptually challenging. What is spacetime curvature at its deepest level? What is the fundamental entity that "curves" spacetime? While the equations of General Relativity brilliantly describe how spacetime curves in response to mass-energy, they remain silent on the why and what behind this fundamental phenomenon.

This paper proposes a radical departure from the mass-energy centric view. We hypothesize that spacetime curvature, and thus gravity itself, is not primarily sourced by mass-energy as traditionally conceived. Instead, we propose that spacetime curvature is the macroscopic manifestation of a more fundamental, underlying reality: the propagating "time-experience" of fundamental particles.

We posit that particles, at the most fundamental level, possess an intrinsic "experience of time," a fundamental interaction with the temporal dimension of spacetime. This time-experience is not confined to the particle but propagates outward, influencing the surrounding spacetime. We propose that it is this collective, propagating "time-experience," not "mysterious mass-energy stuff," that we observe as spacetime curvature and experience as gravity.

2. The "Time Vector" and Motion as a Temporal Phenomenon

Our vision centers on the concept of a "time vector," representing the time component (E/c in SI units, or simply Energy in natural units where c=1) of a particle's energy-momentum 4-vector. We argue that this "time vector" is not merely a mathematical component but a fundamental physical entity that drives motion.

For matter particles, we propose that the "time vector" is directly causally linked to their motion in 3D space. Energy, embodied in the "time vector," is the driving force behind spatial translation. In matter, the presence of rest mass "pins" the time vector to spatial motion, The momentum and relativistic mass interact with the energy to create a velocity, preventing matter from reaching the speed of light.

For photons, we assert that their constant velocity 'c' is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of the inherent relationship between their momentum (p = E/c) and mass (m = E/c²), leading to the fundamental equation v = p/m = c. The photon's "time vector" dictates its constant motion at the speed of light, a velocity that emerges as a necessity from its intrinsic properties.

We propose that motion, for all particles, is fundamentally a temporal phenomenon, a consequence of their interaction with the time dimension. Differences in proper time experience between objects become the underlying reason for relative motion. Objects sharing the same proper time are at rest relative to each other; diverging proper times signify relative motion.

3. Spacetime Curvature as Propagating Time-Experience

Extending this temporal perspective, we hypothesize that spacetime curvature, the essence of gravity, is not sourced by mass-energy in the traditional sense, but by the outward propagation of this fundamental "time-experience" of particles.

Massive objects, composed of countless particles, become collective sources of propagating time-experience. The accumulated "temporal influence" from these particles warps and curves spacetime, creating gradients in the flow of time itself. Gravitational time dilation, the slowing down of time in stronger gravitational fields, becomes direct evidence of this warped temporal flow.

We propose that gravity is not a force acting in spacetime, but rather the manifestation of spacetime curvature, which itself is the macroscopic effect of propagating particle time-experience. Gravity is fundamentally a temporal phenomenon, rooted in the way particles experience and influence the flow of time.

4. Universal "Energy Rest Frame" and Perpetual Quantum Motion

To provide a basis for the scaling of particle properties, we introduce the concept of a universal "energy rest frame," defined by a minimum frequency of f = 1 Hz (in natural units, energy E=1). We hypothesize that this "energy rest frame" is not just for photons, but is a fundamental state applicable to all particles, including matter.

Even matter particles, conventionally considered "at rest" in their rest frame, possess a minimum, irreducible frequency/energy corresponding to this "energy rest frame." This implies a fundamental level of perpetual quantum motion, even at "rest."

This concept naturally explains quantum uncertainty. The inherent minimum frequency/energy in the "energy rest frame" implies a fundamental uncertainty in momentum and position, consistent with the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. It also provides a microscopic explanation for the unattainability of absolute zero in thermodynamics, as particles always possess this minimum zero-point energy and motion.

5. A Temporal Universe: Implications and Paradigm Shift

This "Temporal Universe" paradigm, where gravity and spacetime curvature are reinterpreted as propagating particle time-experience, offers a profound shift in our understanding of fundamental reality.

• Unification of Fundamental Concepts: It fundamentally merges energy, gravity, spacetime curvature, and the experience of proper time into a unified whole, revealing them as different facets of a single, underlying temporal reality.

• Time as Primary: It elevates time to a primordial role, not just as a dimension alongside space, but as the fundamental essence from which gravity, spacetime, and motion emerge.

• Intuitive Explanation of Gravity: It provides a more intuitive and physically meaningful explanation of gravity as a consequence of particle time-experience, rather than as an abstract curvature of spacetime caused by "mysterious mass-energy stuff."

• Potential Pathway to Quantum Gravity: By grounding gravity in the quantum realm of particle time-experience, it may offer a new pathway towards unifying gravity with quantum mechanics, potentially resolving long-standing challenges in theoretical physics.

6. Conclusion: Towards a New Understanding of Reality

The "Temporal Universe" hypothesis, reinterpreting gravity and spacetime as propagating particle time-experience, presents a radical yet compelling vision. It proposes a universe where time is not merely a dimension, but the fundamental engine driving motion, shaping spacetime, and giving rise to gravity. By unifying seemingly disparate concepts through the lens of time-experience, this paradigm offers a potentially transformative shift in our understanding of the cosmos, inviting further exploration and rigorous mathematical formalization to fully realize its profound implications.