Reference: Postulate Mechanics (PM)
The dimension of Substantiality may be described through infinity of sub-dimensions; but the sub-dimensions that stand out are substance, space and time.
The most obvious substance is matter. The smallest particle of matter is called an atom. An atom has volume, which determines its space. An atom also has a duration, which determines its time. Therefore, substance (atom), space (volume), and time (duration) are intimately related to each other, though we may study them separately.
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The Substance (Atom)
Atom is a good place to start because it contains the whole spectrum of substance, which is matter, energy and thought.
The real matter is the most concentrated form of substance that constitutes the nucleus of the atom. It is extremely dense, small and rigid. We may call it ‘solid substance.’
Much less concentrated form of substance constitutes the rest of the atom. It is made of electrons that are quite fluid and not that rigid. Since they have motion, we may associate them with energy. We may call this electronic region to be made up of ‘liquid substance.’
The interatomic space is filled with least concentrated form of substance, which is referred to as radiation. It is made of quanta that is extremely fluid and has extreme motion. We definitely associate radiation with energy. We may call this interatomic region to be filled with ‘gaseous substance.’
The atomic model is the result of a large number of experiments. This model is consistent in itself as well as with all the experimental observations. We associate this model with thought. We may call it the ‘mental substance’ of atom.
Thus, in atom we find the whole spectrum of substance from matter to energy to thought.
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The Space (Volume)
The atom occupies space; therefore, it has a volume. The volume is filled with substance of the atom. Substance and space go hand in hand.
The solid substance of the nucleus occupies a very small volume as it is very concentrated. This is the real form of matter. The liquid electronic substance that fills rest of the atom is much less concentrated and it has a much larger volume. The gaseous radiative substance that fills interatomic region is the least concentrated and it has the largest volume.
The space occupied by substance seems to increase as the concentration of substance decreases. Therefore, energy occupies much greater space than matter because it is much less concentrated.
“Empty space” is empty of matter only. It is not empty of energy. We measure empty space as if we are measuring space filled with matter. This is an anomaly. This anomaly is addressed to some degree by the theory of relativity; but it still needs to be resolved fully. There is also space filled by the mental substance of thought.
Space is actually an extension of substance. Space cannot exist in the absence of substance.
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The Time (Duration)
The stars, the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to be existing forever. Their permanent endurance seems to provide us with the background of infinite time. Against this background we see things moving and changing, that have lesser duration or time.
As the thickness of the substance changes from matter to energy, we observe not only increased volume but also increased motion. Increased motion means that the substance is less fixed in space. In other words, it has lesser duration. Energy has much less time (duration) than matter.
Thought or mental substance also has varying durations, or time. For example, fixed ideas and beliefs have very long durations. In comparison, general attention of a person has much less duration.
Time shows how dynamic a substance is due to variation in duration. Time cannot exist in the absence of substance.
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Substantiality
We encounter substantiality all over the universe. Substantiality consists of substance, space and time. Substance is the main component, and it has extents (space) and duration (time). Space and time vary in their characteristics as the thickness of substance varies from matter to energy to thought. This variation creates this wonderfully diverse and dynamic universe.
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