Twin Paradox and Time Travel (Special Relativity)

In summary, identical twins Speedo and Goslo embark on a journey from Earth to Planet X, which is 20.0 light years away in a reference frame where both planets are at rest. They leave at the same time on different spacecrafts, with Speedo's traveling at .950c and Goslo's at .750c. Using the equation (1-v^2/c^2)^1/2 x time of travel, it can be calculated that Speedo travels for 21 years while Goslo's spacecraft lands on Planet X. This results in a 1.8 year age difference between the twins, with Speedo being the older twin. The concepts of time dilation and length contraction are relevant in understanding this scenario.
  • #1
scurry18
12
1

Homework Statement


Identical twins Speedo and Goslo join amigration from the Earth to Planet X. It is 20.0 light years away in a reference frame in which both planets are at rest. The twins, of the same age, depart at the same time on different spacecraft s. Speedo's craft travels steadily at .950c, and Goslo's travvels at .750c. Calculate the age difference between the twein after Goslo's spacecraft lands on Planet X. Which twin is older?


Homework Equations


(1-v^2/c^2)^1/2 x time of travel


The Attempt at a Solution


Speedo travels for 21 years.
 
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  • #2
scurry18 said:



The Attempt at a Solution


Speedo travels for 21 years.


That's in the frame of reference in which the planets are at rest. How long does it take on Speedo's clock?
 
  • #3
I'm really unsure on how to figure that out.
 
  • #4
What concepts that could be relevant here have you encountered so far in special relativity?
 
  • #5
Just the above equation and length contraction
 
  • #6
It's really time dilation that you would use together with your result of "21 years", but length contraction will work, too, in a slightly indirect way.
 

1. What is the Twin Paradox in Special Relativity?

The Twin Paradox is a thought experiment in Special Relativity where one twin travels at high speeds in a spaceship while the other twin stays on Earth. When the traveling twin returns, they will have aged less than the twin who stayed on Earth, demonstrating the effects of time dilation in Special Relativity.

2. How does the Twin Paradox relate to time travel?

The Twin Paradox is often used to explain the concept of time travel in Special Relativity. As the traveling twin experiences time dilation, they essentially travel into the future relative to the twin who stayed on Earth. This demonstrates that time can be experienced differently for different observers in different reference frames.

3. Can the Twin Paradox be observed in real life?

While the Twin Paradox is a thought experiment, the effects of time dilation have been observed in real life through experiments with atomic clocks and high-speed particles. However, the Twin Paradox itself cannot be observed as it involves a hypothetical scenario with identical twins.

4. What are the implications of the Twin Paradox for time travel?

The Twin Paradox and time dilation in Special Relativity have significant implications for the possibility of time travel. It suggests that time travel to the past is not possible, as it would require exceeding the speed of light and violating causality. However, time travel to the future is theoretically possible with the effects of time dilation.

5. How does the Twin Paradox affect our understanding of time?

The Twin Paradox and Special Relativity challenge our intuitive understanding of time as a universal and constant concept. It shows that time is relative and can be experienced differently by different observers in different reference frames. It also highlights the interconnectedness of space and time, and the importance of considering the observer's perspective in understanding time.

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