gq: The time and space hierarchy theorems form the basis for most separation results of complexity classes. For instance, the time hierarchy theorem tells us that P is strictly contained in EXPTIME, and the space hierarchy theorem tells us that L is strictly contained in PSPACE.
Question: What is the foundation for separation results within complexity classes? Question: What is responsible for constraining P according to the time hierarchy theorem? Question: Within what variable is L constrained according to the space hierarchy theorem?