Is Gravitational Time Dilation Affected by Gravitational Potential?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of time dilation due to gravitational fields and how it can be expressed in terms of gravitational constant, mass, radial coordinate, and light speed. It also explores the relationship between gravitational potential and gravitational field, and how this can lead to different time dilation in equal or varying fields. The conversation ends with a question about whether anything was missed in the understanding of this concept.
  • #1
Brute Force
4
0
Could somebody explain me the following:
According to GR time dilation due to gravitational field is expressed as:
T[itex]_{g}[/itex]=T[itex]_{f}[/itex]*[itex]\sqrt{1-\frac{2GM}{rc^{2}}}[/itex]
where Tg is time with gravitation,
Tf is time somewhere without gravitation
G - gravitational constant
M - mass
r - radial coordinate of observer
and c - light speed.

Lets assume two explorers are working on two different planets with the same gravitation.
My understanding is that gravitation could be expressed as g=G[itex]\frac{M}{r^{2}}[/itex].
Mass M for spherical planet is equals to: M=[itex]\frac{4}{3}[/itex][itex]\pi[/itex]r[itex]^{3}[/itex][itex]\rho[/itex], where [itex]\rho[/itex] is density.
If two gravitations are the same then:
g[itex]_{1}[/itex]=g[itex]_{2}[/itex] and [itex]\rho[/itex][itex]_{1}[/itex]r[itex]_{1}[/itex]=[itex]\rho[/itex][itex]_{2}[/itex]r[itex]_{2}[/itex] or [itex]\rho[/itex]r=const
Getting back to the time dilation formula and replacing M with V*[itex]\rho[/itex]:
T[itex]_{g}[/itex]=T[itex]_{f}[/itex][itex]\sqrt{1-\frac{2G}{c^{2}}\frac{4}{3}\pi{r^{2}\rho}}[/itex]
After replacing all constants with k (remember that [itex]\rho[/itex]r is also a constant:
T[itex]_{g}[/itex]=T[itex]_{f}[/itex][itex]\sqrt{1-k*r}[/itex]

What a surprise: same gravitation, but different time dilation! (assuming planets radii are different)
Did I missed something?
Thanks.
 
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  • #2
Gravitational time dilation depends on gravitational potential rather than gravitational field (which is the gradient of the potential), so it is certainly possible to have equal time dilation in different fields, or different time dilations in the equal fields.
 

Related to Is Gravitational Time Dilation Affected by Gravitational Potential?

What is gravitational time dilation?

Gravitational time dilation is a phenomenon in which time appears to pass at different rates in different gravitational fields. This means that time moves slower in stronger gravitational fields, such as those near massive objects like black holes.

How does gravitational time dilation work?

Gravitational time dilation is a result of the curvature of spacetime caused by massive objects. According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, the closer an object is to a massive body, the slower time moves for that object.

Can gravitational time dilation be observed?

Yes, gravitational time dilation has been observed in various experiments and observations. One of the most famous examples is the Hafele-Keating experiment, in which atomic clocks were flown on airplanes in opposite directions and showed a difference in time upon landing.

How does gravitational time dilation affect our daily lives?

The effect of gravitational time dilation is relatively small and only becomes noticeable near massive objects or in extreme conditions. However, it is a crucial factor to consider in satellite navigation systems and other technologies that rely on precise timing.

Is gravitational time dilation related to the concept of time travel?

While gravitational time dilation does involve a change in the rate of time, it does not allow for time travel in the traditional sense. Time travel would require a complete reversal of the flow of time, which is not possible according to our current understanding of physics.

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