How is time a function of the fabric of nature, and not perception only?

Asked by: Dude

Answer

The second law of thermodynamics makes time a player in the 'fabric' of nature. It says that a closed system's entropy (disorder) will increase over time.

For a simple example, think about breaking a rack of billiard balls. The initial ordered arrangement becomes a random mix of balls. A video of the event run in reverse would be instantly recognizable, since a random distribution of balls will not spontaneously become orderly.

Other everyday examples, like a drop of ink spreading through a glass of water, the breaking of an egg, etc. clearly show an arrow of time moving in a specific direction independent of human perception.
Answered by: Paul Walorski, B.A. Physics, Part-time Physics Instructor