Gravity and Special Relativity
Einstein’s special theory of relativity transformed our understanding of space and time, describing spacetime as a fabric that gravity can bend. Hyperbolic geometry can be used to represent this twisted spacetime.
- Minkowski Space: Special relativity introduces Minkowski space is a four-dimensional space that includes time as a dimension along with the three spatial dimensions. In Minkowski space, the bounds of what events can influence each other are defined by light cones which have a perfectly hyperbolic shape. Physicists can understand more about spacetime’s structure and limitations by studying hyperbolic geometry.
Real Life Applications of Hyperbolic Geometry
Euclidean geometry is known for its perfect circles and lines that never cross and it has long been the foundation of our understanding of space. Hyperbolic geometry is a seemingly abstract branch of mathematics that becomes valuable for understanding complexities beyond Euclidean geometry in the real world.
In hyperbolic geometry, circles can include countless points and parallel lines can spread apart endlessly. Although hyperbolic geometry might seem unrelated to daily life, it has surprising applications in various fields such as theoretical physics and Google Maps.