Time Dilation: When Earth or Light Speed Travel?

In summary, according to the theory of general relativity, time will go slower for the person traveling near the speed of light compared to the person staying on Earth. However, in the absence of a frame of reference, it is ambiguous to determine who is actually moving faster. In the Twin Paradox thought experiment, the person who accelerates and changes frames of reference is the one whose time will be affected. The slow motion of the Earth around the sun has minimal impact on time.
  • #1
Anis SNOUSSI
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according to the general relativity, if someone stayed on Earth and another person was traveling near the speed of light, time will go slower for who's traveling faster.
but we all know that the universe has no center, so no frame of reference, then if we consider the person moving to be at rest, and that Earth is moving, wouldn't time flows slower for who's on Earth instead!?
 
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  • #2
Hello Anis, :welcome:

Actually, time will go at the same rate for both (one hour per hour, so to say).
In the Twin paradox thought experiment it is clear who is doing the traveling and who is stationary: the traveller is the one who accelerates to depart, accelerates to turn around and decelerates upon arrival. That is the one who changes frames of reference, not the one who remains on earth.

The motion of the Earth around the sun is so slow that it doesn't have any influence.
 
  • #3
Anis SNOUSSI said:
according to the general relativity, if someone stayed on Earth and another person was traveling near the speed of light, time will go slower for who's traveling faster.
but we all know that the universe has no center, so no frame of reference, then if we consider the person moving to be at rest, and that Earth is moving, wouldn't time flows slower for who's on Earth instead!?
Relative to the person who is staying on earth, the person "traveling" is moving faster so his time flows slower. Relative to the person "traveling", it is the person staying on Earth who is moving faster so his time flows slower. Each observes the other time flowing slower. That is why it is called relativeity.
 

Related to Time Dilation: When Earth or Light Speed Travel?

1. What is time dilation?

Time dilation is a phenomenon in which time moves at different rates for objects in motion relative to one another. This means that time will appear to move slower for an object that is moving at high speeds compared to an object that is stationary.

2. How does time dilation occur during Earth travel?

Time dilation occurs during Earth travel because the Earth is constantly in motion, rotating on its axis and orbiting around the sun. This motion causes the Earth to experience time at a different pace compared to objects that are stationary in space.

3. How does time dilation occur during light speed travel?

Time dilation occurs during light speed travel because as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass and energy increase exponentially. This causes a distortion in the fabric of space-time, resulting in a difference in the passage of time for the object traveling at light speed compared to a stationary object.

4. Is time dilation a proven scientific concept?

Yes, time dilation is a well-established concept in the field of physics and has been proven through numerous experiments and observations. It is a fundamental aspect of Einstein's theory of relativity.

5. How does time dilation affect space travel and astronauts?

Time dilation has a significant impact on space travel and astronauts. As objects travel at high speeds, time moves slower for them, which means that astronauts on long space missions will experience time at a slower rate than people on Earth. This can result in astronauts aging slower compared to their counterparts on Earth.

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