What is space in physical science?

Answer 1

In physics, space is the three-dimensional framework of the universe consisting of length, area, and volume containing all matter and energy. Any material entity can move forward-backward, left-right, and up-down in this arena. Space makes it possible for material entities to coexist as well as giving them the property of extension. In general relativity, time is considered to be the fourth dimension in addition to the three observable spatial dimensions. Time is simply the observed inevitable change in the universe when objects are moving at less than the speed of light. Time stops at the speed of light and reverses when greater than light speed. Only photons which do not have mass are observed to travel at the speed of light and thus time is halted. On the other hand, objects which have mass cannot travel at light speed or even faster and are thus subject to this irreversible change. With respect to time, objects do not have freedom of movement and thus time is said to have one dimension. This four-dimensional arena is known as space-time or the space-time continuum and it is the most generally accepted framework for the universe among physicists today. Matter is said to curve or warp space-time. Without matter, space-time is perfectly flat. The space-time continuum of our universe is posited to be relatively flat and infinite. However, many theories exist today which posit additional dimensions. String theory, for example, postulates as many as eleven dimensions (ten of space and one of time).