<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

The situation would seem different to the astronaut. Because motion is relative, the spaceship would seem to be stationary and the Earth would appear to move. (This is the sensation you have when flying in a jet.) If the astronaut looks out the window of the spaceship, she will see time slow down on the Earth by a factor of γ = 30 . 0 size 12{γ="30" "." 0} {} . To her, the Earth-bound sister will have aged only 2/30 (1/15) of a year, while she aged 2.00 years. The two sisters cannot both be correct.

There are two sections in this figure. In the first section a young woman is shown standing on the Earth and her twin is standing in a traveling spaceship. There is a clock beside each of the women showing equal time. In the second section of the figure it is shown that the traveling twin ages less than the Earth-bound twin and the Earth-bound twin is looking older. In the clocks it is shown that on Earth time runs faster than on the traveling spaceship.
The twin paradox asks why the traveling twin ages less than the Earth-bound twin. That is the prediction we obtain if we consider the Earth-bound twin’s frame. In the astronaut’s frame, however, the Earth is moving and time runs slower there. Who is correct?

As with all paradoxes, the premise is faulty and leads to contradictory conclusions. In fact, the astronaut’s motion is significantly different from that of the Earth-bound twin. The astronaut accelerates to a high velocity and then decelerates to view the star system. To return to the Earth, she again accelerates and decelerates. The Earth-bound twin does not experience these accelerations. So the situation is not symmetric, and it is not correct to claim that the astronaut will observe the same effects as her Earth-bound twin. If you use special relativity to examine the twin paradox, you must keep in mind that the theory is expressly based on inertial frames, which by definition are not accelerated or rotating. Einstein developed general relativity to deal with accelerated frames and with gravity, a prime source of acceleration. You can also use general relativity to address the twin paradox and, according to general relativity, the astronaut will age less. Some important conceptual aspects of general relativity are discussed in General Relativity and Quantum Gravity of this course.

In 1971, American physicists Joseph Hafele and Richard Keating verified time dilation at low relative velocities by flying extremely accurate atomic clocks around the Earth on commercial aircraft. They measured elapsed time to an accuracy of a few nanoseconds and compared it with the time measured by clocks left behind. Hafele and Keating’s results were within experimental uncertainties of the predictions of relativity. Both special and general relativity had to be taken into account, since gravity and accelerations were involved as well as relative motion.

1. What is γ size 12{γ} {} if v = 0 .650 c size 12{v=0 "." "150"c} {} ?

Solution

γ = 1 1 v 2 c 2 = 1 1 ( 0 . 650 c ) 2 c 2 = 1 . 32 size 12{γ= { {1} over { sqrt {1 - { {v rSup { size 8{2} } } over {c rSup { size 8{2} } } } } } } = { {1} over { sqrt {1 - { { \( 0 "." "650"c \) rSup { size 8{2} } } over {c rSup { size 8{2} } } } } } } =1 "." "32"} {}

2. A particle travels at 1 . 90 × 10 8 m/s size 12{1 "." "90" times "10" rSup { size 8{8} } `"m/s"} {} and lives 2 . 10 × 10 8 s size 12{2 "." "10" times "10" rSup { size 8{ - 8} } `s} {} when at rest relative to an observer. How long does the particle live as viewed in the laboratory?

Δ t = Δ t 0 1 v 2 c 2 = 2 . 10 × 10 8 s 1 ( 1 . 90 × 10 8 m/s ) 2 ( 3 . 00 × 10 8 m/s ) 2 = 2 . 71 × 10 8 s size 12{Δt= { {Δt rSub { size 8{0} } } over { sqrt {1 - { {v rSup { size 8{2} } } over {c rSup { size 8{2} } } } } } } = { {2 "." "10" times "10" rSup { size 8{ - 8} } " s"} over { sqrt {1 - { { \( 1 "." "90" times "10" rSup { size 8{8} } " m/s" \) rSup { size 8{2} } } over { \( 3 "." "00" times "10" rSup { size 8{8} } " m/s" \) rSup { size 8{2} } } } } } } =2 "." "71" times "10" rSup { size 8{ - 8} } " s"} {}

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Section summary

  • Two events are defined to be simultaneous if an observer measures them as occurring at the same time. They are not necessarily simultaneous to all observers—simultaneity is not absolute.
  • Time dilation is the phenomenon of time passing slower for an observer who is moving relative to another observer.
  • Observers moving at a relative velocity v size 12{v} {} do not measure the same elapsed time for an event. Proper time Δ t 0 size 12{Δt rSub { size 8{0} } } {} is the time measured by an observer at rest relative to the event being observed. Proper time is related to the time Δ t size 12{Δt} {} measured by an Earth-bound observer by the equation
    Δ t = Δ t 0 1 v 2 c 2 = γ Δ t 0 ,

    where

    γ = 1 1 v 2 c 2 .
  • The equation relating proper time and time measured by an Earth-bound observer implies that relative velocity cannot exceed the speed of light.
  • The twin paradox asks why a twin traveling at a relativistic speed away and then back towards the Earth ages less than the Earth-bound twin. The premise to the paradox is faulty because the traveling twin is accelerating. Special relativity does not apply to accelerating frames of reference.
  • Time dilation is usually negligible at low relative velocities, but it does occur, and it has been verified by experiment.

Conceptual questions

Does motion affect the rate of a clock as measured by an observer moving with it? Does motion affect how an observer moving relative to a clock measures its rate?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

To whom does the elapsed time for a process seem to be longer, an observer moving relative to the process or an observer moving with the process? Which observer measures proper time?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

How could you travel far into the future without aging significantly? Could this method also allow you to travel into the past?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Problems&Exercises

(a) What is γ size 12{γ} {} if v = 0 . 250 c size 12{v=0 "." "250"c} {} ? (b) If v = 0 . 500 c size 12{v=0 "." "500"c} {} ?

(a) 1.0328

(b) 1.15

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

(a) What is γ size 12{γ} {} if v = 0 . 100 c size 12{v=0 "." "100"c} {} ? (b) If v = 0 . 900 c size 12{v=0 "." "900"c} {} ?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Particles called π size 12{π} {} -mesons are produced by accelerator beams. If these particles travel at 2 . 70 × 10 8 m/s size 12{2 "." "70" times "10" rSup { size 8{8} } `"m/s"} {} and live 2 . 60 × 10 8 s when at rest relative to an observer, how long do they live as viewed in the laboratory?

5 . 96 × 10 8 s size 12{5 "." "96" times "10" rSup { size 8{ - 8} } " s"} {}

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Suppose a particle called a kaon is created by cosmic radiation striking the atmosphere. It moves by you at 0 . 980 c size 12{0 "." "980"c} {} , and it lives 1 . 24 × 10 8 s when at rest relative to an observer. How long does it live as you observe it?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

A neutral π size 12{π} {} -meson is a particle that can be created by accelerator beams. If one such particle lives 1 . 40 × 10 16 s as measured in the laboratory, and 0 . 840 × 10 16 s when at rest relative to an observer, what is its velocity relative to the laboratory?

0.800 c

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

A neutron lives 900 s when at rest relative to an observer. How fast is the neutron moving relative to an observer who measures its life span to be 2065 s?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If relativistic effects are to be less than 1%, then γ size 12{γ} {} must be less than 1.01. At what relative velocity is γ = 1 . 01 size 12{γ=1 "." "01"} {} ?

0 . 140 c size 12{0 "." "140"c} {}

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If relativistic effects are to be less than 3%, then γ size 12{γ} {} must be less than 1.03. At what relative velocity is γ = 1 . 03 size 12{γ=1 "." "03"} {} ?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

(a) At what relative velocity is γ = 1 . 50 size 12{γ=1 "." "50"} {} ? (b) At what relative velocity is γ = 100 size 12{γ="100"} {} ?

(a) 0 . 745 c size 12{0 "." "745"c} {}

(b) 0 . 99995 c size 12{0 "." "99995"c} {} (to five digits to show effect)

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

(a) At what relative velocity is γ = 2 . 00 size 12{γ=2 "." "00"} {} ? (b) At what relative velocity is γ = 10 . 0 size 12{γ="10" "." 0} {} ?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Unreasonable Results

(a) Find the value of γ size 12{γ} {} for the following situation. An Earth-bound observer measures 23.9 h to have passed while signals from a high-velocity space probe indicate that 24.0 h size 12{"24" "." 0" h"} {} have passed on board. (b) What is unreasonable about this result? (c) Which assumptions are unreasonable or inconsistent?

(a) 0.996

(b) γ size 12{γ} {} cannot be less than 1.

(c) Assumption that time is longer in moving ship is unreasonable.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

Three charges q_{1}=+3\mu C, q_{2}=+6\mu C and q_{3}=+8\mu C are located at (2,0)m (0,0)m and (0,3) coordinates respectively. Find the magnitude and direction acted upon q_{2} by the two other charges.Draw the correct graphical illustration of the problem above showing the direction of all forces.
Kate Reply
To solve this problem, we need to first find the net force acting on charge q_{2}. The magnitude of the force exerted by q_{1} on q_{2} is given by F=\frac{kq_{1}q_{2}}{r^{2}} where k is the Coulomb constant, q_{1} and q_{2} are the charges of the particles, and r is the distance between them.
Muhammed
What is the direction and net electric force on q_{1}= 5µC located at (0,4)r due to charges q_{2}=7mu located at (0,0)m and q_{3}=3\mu C located at (4,0)m?
Kate Reply
what is the change in momentum of a body?
Eunice Reply
what is a capacitor?
Raymond Reply
Capacitor is a separation of opposite charges using an insulator of very small dimension between them. Capacitor is used for allowing an AC (alternating current) to pass while a DC (direct current) is blocked.
Gautam
A motor travelling at 72km/m on sighting a stop sign applying the breaks such that under constant deaccelerate in the meters of 50 metres what is the magnitude of the accelerate
Maria Reply
please solve
Sharon
8m/s²
Aishat
What is Thermodynamics
Muordit
velocity can be 72 km/h in question. 72 km/h=20 m/s, v^2=2.a.x , 20^2=2.a.50, a=4 m/s^2.
Mehmet
A boat travels due east at a speed of 40meter per seconds across a river flowing due south at 30meter per seconds. what is the resultant speed of the boat
Saheed Reply
50 m/s due south east
Someone
which has a higher temperature, 1cup of boiling water or 1teapot of boiling water which can transfer more heat 1cup of boiling water or 1 teapot of boiling water explain your . answer
Ramon Reply
I believe temperature being an intensive property does not change for any amount of boiling water whereas heat being an extensive property changes with amount/size of the system.
Someone
Scratch that
Someone
temperature for any amount of water to boil at ntp is 100⁰C (it is a state function and and intensive property) and it depends both will give same amount of heat because the surface available for heat transfer is greater in case of the kettle as well as the heat stored in it but if you talk.....
Someone
about the amount of heat stored in the system then in that case since the mass of water in the kettle is greater so more energy is required to raise the temperature b/c more molecules of water are present in the kettle
Someone
definitely of physics
Haryormhidey Reply
how many start and codon
Esrael Reply
what is field
Felix Reply
physics, biology and chemistry this is my Field
ALIYU
field is a region of space under the influence of some physical properties
Collete
what is ogarnic chemistry
WISDOM Reply
determine the slope giving that 3y+ 2x-14=0
WISDOM
Another formula for Acceleration
Belty Reply
a=v/t. a=f/m a
IHUMA
innocent
Adah
pratica A on solution of hydro chloric acid,B is a solution containing 0.5000 mole ofsodium chlorid per dm³,put A in the burret and titrate 20.00 or 25.00cm³ portion of B using melting orange as the indicator. record the deside of your burret tabulate the burret reading and calculate the average volume of acid used?
Nassze Reply
how do lnternal energy measures
Esrael
Two bodies attract each other electrically. Do they both have to be charged? Answer the same question if the bodies repel one another.
JALLAH Reply
No. According to Isac Newtons law. this two bodies maybe you and the wall beside you. Attracting depends on the mass och each body and distance between them.
Dlovan
Are you really asking if two bodies have to be charged to be influenced by Coulombs Law?
Robert
like charges repel while unlike charges atttact
Raymond
What is specific heat capacity
Destiny Reply
Specific heat capacity is a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). It is measured in Joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C).
AI-Robot
specific heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius or kelvin
ROKEEB
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 3

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, College physics. OpenStax CNX. Jul 27, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11406/1.9
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'College physics' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask