Time travel and the space-time continuum are interconnected concepts, but they refer to different aspects of our understanding of the universe.
The space-time continuum is a fundamental concept in physics that combines the three dimensions of space (length, width, and height) with the fourth dimension of time into a unified framework. According to the theory of general relativity, developed by Albert Einstein, mass and energy can curve the fabric of space-time, creating what we perceive as gravity. In this view, space and time are not separate entities but are interconnected, forming a four-dimensional fabric that determines the geometry and dynamics of the universe.
Time travel, on the other hand, refers to the hypothetical ability to move backward or forward in time. It suggests that an individual or object could travel to different points in the past or future, experiencing events out of their natural chronological order. Time travel is often explored in science fiction and has captured the imagination of many, but its feasibility remains speculative and is not yet scientifically proven.
In essence, the space-time continuum provides the framework in which events occur and objects move within the universe, while time travel involves the hypothetical manipulation of that framework to traverse time itself.