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%%% Primary Title: The System of Co-ordinate
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\begin{document}
\subsection{The System of Co-ordinates}
From \htmladdnormallink{Relativity: The Special and General Theory}{http://planetphysics.us/encyclopedia/SpecialTheoryOfRelativity.html} by \htmladdnormallink{Albert Einstein}{http://planetphysics.us/encyclopedia/AlbertEinstein.html}
On the basis of the physical interpretation of distance which has been
indicated, we are also in a \htmladdnormallink{position}{http://planetphysics.us/encyclopedia/Position.html} to establish the distance between
two points on a \htmladdnormallink{rigid body}{http://planetphysics.us/encyclopedia/CenterOfGravity.html} by means of measurements. For this purpose
we require a ``distance'' (rod S) which is to be used once and for
all, and which we employ as a standard measure. If, now, A and B are
two points on a rigid body, we can construct the line joining them
according to the rules of geometry; then, starting from A, we can
mark off the distance S time after time until we reach B. The number
of these \htmladdnormallink{operations}{http://planetphysics.us/encyclopedia/Cod.html} required is the numerical measure of the distance
AB. This is the basis of all measurement of length.\footnotemark
Every description of the scene of an event or of the position of an
\htmladdnormallink{object}{http://planetphysics.us/encyclopedia/TrivialGroupoid.html} in space is based on the specification of the point on a rigid
body (body of reference) with which that event or object coincides.
This applies not only to scientific description, but also to everyday
life. If I analyse the place specification ``Times \htmladdnormallink{square}{http://planetphysics.us/encyclopedia/PiecewiseLinear.html}, New York,"\footnotemark
I arrive at the following result. The earth is the rigid body
to which the specification of place refers; ``Times Square, New York,"
is a well-defined point, to which a name has been assigned, and with
which the event coincides in space.\footnotemark
This primitive method of place specification deals only with places on
the surface of rigid bodies, and is dependent on the existence of
points on this surface which are distinguishable from each other. But
we can free ourselves from both of these limitations without altering
the nature of our specification of position. If, for instance, a cloud
is hovering over Times Square, then we can determine its position
relative to the surface of the earth by erecting a pole
perpendicularly on the Square, so that it reaches the cloud. The
length of the pole measured with the standard measuring-rod, combined
with the specification of the position of the foot of the pole,
supplies us with a complete place specification. On the basis of this
illustration, we are able to see the manner in which a refinement of
the conception of position has been developed.
\begin{enumerate}
\item We imagine the rigid body, to which the place specification is
referred, supplemented in such a manner that the object whose position
we require is reached by. the completed rigid body.
\item In locating the position of the object, we make use of a number
(here the length of the pole measured with the measuring-rod) instead
of designated points of reference.
\item We speak of the height of the cloud even when the pole which
reaches the cloud has not been erected. By means of optical
observations of the cloud from different positions on the ground, and
taking into account the properties of the propagation of light, we
determine the length of the pole we should have required in order to
reach the cloud.
\end{enumerate}
From this consideration we see that it will be advantageous if, in the
description of position, it should be possible by means of numerical
measures to make ourselves independent of the existence of marked
positions (possessing names) on the rigid body of reference. In the
physics of measurement this is attained by the application of the
Cartesian \htmladdnormallink{system}{http://planetphysics.us/encyclopedia/GenericityInOpenSystems.html} of co-ordinates.
This consists of three plane surfaces perpendicular to each other and
rigidly attached to a rigid body. Referred to a system of
co-ordinates, the scene of any event will be determined (for the main
part) by the specification of the lengths of the three perpendiculars
or co-ordinates $(x, y, z)$ which can be dropped from the scene of the
event to those three plane surfaces. The lengths of these three
perpendiculars can be determined by a series of manipulations with
rigid measuring-rods performed according to the rules and methods laid
down by Euclidean geometry.
In practice, the rigid surfaces which constitute the system of
co-ordinates are generally not available; furthermore, the \htmladdnormallink{magnitudes}{http://planetphysics.us/encyclopedia/AbsoluteMagnitude.html} of the co-ordinates are not actually determined by constructions with
rigid rods, but by indirect means. If the results of physics and
astronomy are to maintain their clearness, the physical meaning of
specifications of position must always be sought in accordance with
the above considerations. \footnotemark
We thus obtain the following result: Every description of events in
space involves the use of a rigid body to which such events have to be
referred. The resulting relationship takes for granted that the laws
of Euclidean geometry hold for ``distances;" the ``distance" being
represented physically by means of the convention of two marks on a
rigid body.
\footnotetext[1]{Here we have assumed that there is nothing left over {\it i.e.} that
the measurement gives a whole number. This difficulty is got over by
the use of divided measuring-rods, the introduction of which does not
demand any fundamentally new method.}
\footnotetext[2]{Einstein used ``Potsdamer Platz, Berlin" in the original text.
In the authorised translation this was supplemented with ``Tranfalgar
Square, London". We have changed this to ``Times Square, New York", as
this is the most well known/identifiable location to English speakers
in the present day. [Note by the janitor.]}
\footnotetext[3]{It is not necessary here to investigate further the significance
of the expression ``coincidence in space." This conception is
sufficiently obvious to ensure that differences of opinion are
scarcely likely to arise as to its applicability in practice.}
\footnotetext[4]{A refinement and modification of these views does not become
necessary until we come to deal with the general theory of relativity,
treated in the second part of this book.}
\subsection{References}
This article is derived from the Einstein Reference Archive (marxists.org) 1999, 2002. \htmladdnormallink{Einstein Reference Archive}{http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/einstein/index.htm} which is under the FDL copyright.
\end{document}
