Overview Step-by-Step

Gravity as Temporal Geometry: A Step-by-Step Development

About this guide: This step-by-step walkthrough develops the complete theory of gravity as temporal geometry. Each step builds on the previous one, with detailed mathematical derivations and physical explanations.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Define "time" as a field

We pick one scalar field, Φ, to be our handle on time. We define the lapse N (how fast proper time runs compared to coordinate time) as N=e^Φ.

Step 2: Spatial simplicity from ADM/York

Using the ADM/York formalism to separate space and time, showing how spatial geometry follows from constraints.

Step 3: Energy density from GR's constraint

Deriving the energy density from General Relativity's constraint equations in the temporal geometry framework.

Step 4: The flux law

Establishing the fundamental flux law that governs how energy flows through temporal geometry.

Step 5: Conservation from pure logic

Showing how energy conservation emerges naturally from the logical structure of temporal geometry.

Step 6: Time potential governs mass/time-dilation

Exploring how the time potential Φ directly controls both mass and gravitational time dilation.

Step 7: Scale Unification

Unifying different scales through the temporal geometry framework, from quantum to cosmological.

Step 8: Resolution limit and minimum uncertainty

Introducing quantum corrections through a fundamental resolution limit in temporal geometry.

Step 9: Modified flux law with quantum corrections

Incorporating quantum effects into the flux law, bridging classical and quantum gravity.

Step 10: Vacuum flux as emergent dark energy

Showing how dark energy emerges naturally from vacuum flux in temporal geometry.

Step 11: Negative energy and the entropy anchor

Understanding the role of negative energy and entropy in stabilizing the temporal framework.

Step 12: Constant cosmological density

Deriving the cosmological constant from the temporal geometry framework.

Step 13: Recovering Newtonian gravity

Showing how Newton's law of gravitation emerges in the weak-field limit.

Step 14: Weak-field planetary motion

Deriving planetary orbits and perihelion precession from temporal geometry.

Step 15: Exact solution for spherical objects

Developing the exact spherically symmetric solution in temporal geometry.

Step 16: Complete black hole solution

Deriving the singularity-free black hole solution in temporal geometry.

Step 17: Cosmological expansion without GR

Understanding cosmic expansion directly from temporal geometry, without full GR.

Step 18: The double-field Schrödinger equation

Introducing quantum mechanics through a two-field formulation in temporal geometry.

Step 19: Dual interpretation of the wavefunction

Understanding the wavefunction's dual nature in the temporal framework.

Step 20: Born rule from conservation

Deriving the Born rule directly from energy conservation in temporal geometry.

Step 21: The emergence of QM from gravity

Showing how quantum mechanics emerges naturally from gravitational temporal geometry.

Step 22: Measurement and collapse

Understanding quantum measurement and wavefunction collapse through temporal geometry.

Step 23: Superposition lifetime from temporal geometry

Calculating how long quantum superpositions can persist based on temporal effects.

Step 24: The graviton problem revisited

Re-examining graviton physics through the lens of temporal geometry.

Step 25: Causal structure from temporal geometry

How causality and light cones emerge from the temporal framework.

Step 26: Testing the theory

Summary of new experimental predictions that distinguish temporal geometry from GR.

Step 27: Why "time-first" adds no new graviton

Proving that temporal geometry preserves GR's two graviton polarizations without adding new degrees of freedom.

Supplemental: Deriving the Lorentz Factor from Φ-Definition

A clean derivation showing how the familiar Lorentz factor γ = 1/√(1-v²) emerges from the Φ-defined lapse, separating gravitational effects from kinematic time dilation.