Special relativity and frames of reference

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of special relativity, particularly focusing on time dilation, frames of reference, and the implications of acceleration on aging in different inertial frames. Participants explore the effects of high velocities and acceleration on the perception of time between observers in different frames.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that objects moving at high velocity experience time dilation and questions the existence of an ultimate frame of reference when comparing two galaxies moving near the speed of light.
  • Another participant explains that each galaxy perceives the other's clock as slowed down, emphasizing the relativity of time and the lack of an absolute measure.
  • A participant raises a question about why a person on a spaceship moving quickly ages slower than those on Earth, suggesting that acceleration might play a role.
  • One reply clarifies that the situation relates to the twin paradox rather than the grandfather paradox and discusses the role of acceleration in breaking symmetry between inertial observers.
  • A participant expresses understanding after receiving clarification about the effects of acceleration on time perception.
  • Further discussion questions whether the Earth could be considered to be accelerating away from the spaceship, leading to a response that distinguishes between acceleration due to force and relative motion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the relativity of time and the effects of acceleration, but there are nuanced discussions regarding the implications of these concepts, particularly in relation to different paradoxes and the nature of acceleration.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the definitions of acceleration and the implications of different frames of reference, as well as the distinctions between various paradoxes in relativity.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in the principles of special relativity, time dilation, and the implications of acceleration in different inertial frames.

winhog
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I have learned that objects moving at high velocity experience time dilation, among other things, and that there is no ultimate frame of reference in the universe. If this is so...say two galaxies pass by each other at near the speed of light...in which one would time be moving slower? There's no way to tell unless there is an ultimate frame of reference, right?
 
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Your close to getting it right, which is commenable as this is an issue that confuses many people. The answer is that galaxy A sees galaxy B's clock slowed down wheraes galaxy B sees galaxy A's clock slowed down this is due to the fact that time itself is relative. We can never say which inertial observer's clock has slowed down in an absolute sense.
 
In that case...why would a person on a spaceship moving quickly age slower than those on earth? (like in the grandfather paradox) Is it simply because the spaceship accelerated while the Earth didn't? Couldn't that also be considered the Earth accelerating away from the spaceship?
 
The Grandfather paradio is something different (it's a time travel paradox), your thinking of the twin paradox (which isn't a real paradox). Yes your right accelartion destroys the symmetry; accelaration in special relativity is absolute (well not stricctly as 3-acceleration is not absolute, but the important thing is that if someone is acclerating then all inertial observers agree that they are acclerating and in special relativity there is only absolute relativity between inertial observers i.e observers wo are not accelerating).
 
Aha, that makes sense. Thanks for clearing that up!
 
winhog said:
In that case...why would a person on a spaceship moving quickly age slower than those on earth? Is it simply because the spaceship accelerated while the Earth didn't?
Yes.

Couldn't that also be considered the Earth accelerating away from the spaceship?
No, because the spaceship was accelerated due to a force. It's the acceleration due to a force that counts.
 

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