Would two dimensions be world enough for spacetime?

Samuel C. Fletcher, J. B. Manchak, Mike D. Schneider, James Owen Weatherall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

We consider various curious features of general relativity, and relativistic field theory, in two spacetime dimensions. In particular, we discuss: the vanishing of the Einstein tensor; the failure of an initial-value formulation for vacuum spacetimes; the status of singularity theorems; the non-existence of a Newtonian limit; the status of the cosmological constant; and the character of matter fields, including perfect fluids and electromagnetic fields. We conclude with a discussion of what constrains our understanding of physics in different dimensions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)100-113
Number of pages14
JournalStudies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B - Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics
Volume63
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Would two dimensions be world enough for spacetime?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this