A _perfectly_ symmetric twin paradox cases

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Thread starter stefanbanev
Start date Mar 13, 2017
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Paradox Symmetric Twin paradox

In summary: Case B is a little more complicated. Let's say that the astronaut on the rocket stays behind on Earth, while the astronaut on the rocket begins their trip in space. At the start of the trip, their positions are the same. However, the rocket's engine operates for the same amount of time, but the astronaut in space experiences a 1g acceleration for the entire trip. Then, when they return to Earth, their clocks will be different. The astronaut on the rocket who stayed behind will have aged more than the astronaut who went on the rocket.

Jul 2, 2017

Dale

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stefanbanev said:

yet, I failed to see how it relates to the particular context

The particular context is a supposed difficulty with a "perfectly symmetrical" case. I was pointing out that the case is not perfectly symmetrical. So there is no difficulty. There is no expectation that the two non symmetric results should be the same.

<h2>1. What is a perfectly symmetric twin paradox case?</h2><p>A perfectly symmetric twin paradox case is a thought experiment that involves two twins, one of whom stays on Earth while the other travels at high speeds through space. According to the theory of relativity, the traveling twin will experience time dilation, causing them to age slower than the twin on Earth. When the traveling twin returns, they will be younger than their twin on Earth, creating a paradox.</p><h2>2. How does a perfectly symmetric twin paradox case challenge the theory of relativity?</h2><p>The perfectly symmetric twin paradox case challenges the theory of relativity because it implies that both twins are simultaneously younger and older than each other. This goes against the principle of relativity, which states that all physical laws should be the same for all observers in uniform motion.</p><h2>3. Can a perfectly symmetric twin paradox case occur in real life?</h2><p>No, a perfectly symmetric twin paradox case cannot occur in real life. While time dilation is a real phenomenon, it is only noticeable at extremely high speeds, such as those reached by particles in particle accelerators. The differences in time would be too small to be noticeable for human twins.</p><h2>4. How can the paradox be resolved in a perfectly symmetric twin paradox case?</h2><p>The paradox can be resolved by considering the perspective of each twin. From the perspective of the traveling twin, it is the twin on Earth who is moving at high speeds, causing them to experience time dilation. Therefore, when the traveling twin returns, they will be younger than their twin on Earth. From the perspective of the twin on Earth, it is the traveling twin who is moving at high speeds, causing them to experience time dilation. Therefore, when the twin on Earth sees the traveling twin return, they will be younger than them. This resolves the paradox as each twin experiences time dilation from their own perspective.</p><h2>5. Are there any real-life applications of the twin paradox?</h2><p>While the twin paradox itself cannot occur in real life, the concept of time dilation has been proven to be true through experiments with atomic clocks on airplanes and satellites. This has practical applications in GPS technology, as the satellites must account for the time dilation effects of their high speeds in order to accurately calculate location data on Earth.</p>

Related to A _perfectly_ symmetric twin paradox cases

1. What is a perfectly symmetric twin paradox case?

A perfectly symmetric twin paradox case is a thought experiment that involves two twins, one of whom stays on Earth while the other travels at high speeds through space. According to the theory of relativity, the traveling twin will experience time dilation, causing them to age slower than the twin on Earth. When the traveling twin returns, they will be younger than their twin on Earth, creating a paradox.

2. How does a perfectly symmetric twin paradox case challenge the theory of relativity?

The perfectly symmetric twin paradox case challenges the theory of relativity because it implies that both twins are simultaneously younger and older than each other. This goes against the principle of relativity, which states that all physical laws should be the same for all observers in uniform motion.

3. Can a perfectly symmetric twin paradox case occur in real life?

No, a perfectly symmetric twin paradox case cannot occur in real life. While time dilation is a real phenomenon, it is only noticeable at extremely high speeds, such as those reached by particles in particle accelerators. The differences in time would be too small to be noticeable for human twins.

4. How can the paradox be resolved in a perfectly symmetric twin paradox case?

The paradox can be resolved by considering the perspective of each twin. From the perspective of the traveling twin, it is the twin on Earth who is moving at high speeds, causing them to experience time dilation. Therefore, when the traveling twin returns, they will be younger than their twin on Earth. From the perspective of the twin on Earth, it is the traveling twin who is moving at high speeds, causing them to experience time dilation. Therefore, when the twin on Earth sees the traveling twin return, they will be younger than them. This resolves the paradox as each twin experiences time dilation from their own perspective.

5. Are there any real-life applications of the twin paradox?

While the twin paradox itself cannot occur in real life, the concept of time dilation has been proven to be true through experiments with atomic clocks on airplanes and satellites. This has practical applications in GPS technology, as the satellites must account for the time dilation effects of their high speeds in order to accurately calculate location data on Earth.