Editing Space (section)

{{Short description|Framework of distances and directions}}
{{about|the general framework of distance and direction|the space beyond Earth's atmosphere|Outer space|the writing separator|Space (punctuation)|other uses|Space&nbsp;(disambiguation)}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
[[File:3D coordinate system.svg|thumb|right|A right-handed three-dimensional [[Cartesian coordinate system]] used to indicate positions in space<!--(See diagram description for needed correction.)-->]]

'''Space''' is a [[Three-dimensional space|three-dimensional]] continuum containing [[position (geometry)|positions]] and [[direction (geometry)|directions]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9068962/space|title=Space – Physics and Metaphysics|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=28 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506121655/http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9068962/space|archive-date=6 May 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[classical physics]], physical space is often conceived in three [[linear]] [[dimension]]s. [[Modern physicist]]s usually consider it, with [[time]], to be part of a boundless [[four-dimensional]] [[Continuum (theory)|continuum]] known as ''[[spacetime]]''.<ref name="metafizika">{{cite journal|last1=Bunyadzade |first1=Konul |title=Thoughts of Time |url=https://metafizikajurnali.az/yukle/files/Vol.1-8%281%29.pdf |journal=[[Metafizika Journal]] |publisher=AcademyGate Publishing |access-date=2018-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405102207/https://metafizikajurnali.az/yukle/files/Vol.1-8(1).pdf |archive-date=5 Apr 2019 |pages=8–29 |language=az |doi=10.33864/MTFZK.2019.0 |date=2018-03-15 |volume=1 |url-status=live}}</ref> The concept of space is considered to be of fundamental importance to an understanding of the physical [[universe]]. However, disagreement continues between [[philosophers]] over whether it is itself an entity, a relationship between entities, or part of a [[conceptual framework]].

In the 19th and 20th centuries mathematicians began to examine geometries that are [[Non-Euclidean geometry|non-Euclidean]], in which space is conceived as ''[[space curvature|curved]]'', rather than ''[[flat space|flat]]'', as in the [[Euclidean space]]. According to [[Albert Einstein]]'s theory of [[general relativity]], space around [[gravitational field]]s deviates from Euclidean space.<ref>Carnap, R. (1995). ''An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science''. New York: Dove. (Original edition: ''Philosophical Foundations of Physics''. New York: Basic books, 1966).</ref> Experimental [[tests of general relativity]] have confirmed that non-Euclidean geometries provide a better model for the shape of space.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}