Thanks. I am aware of the time dilation equation. However, if you say the distance between the Earth and the star contracts from the astronaut's reference frame, is there not a formula that would express that exact contraction?
Ah, thanks Hallsoflvy, I didn't see your comment until after I posted my response above. I would still like to see the formula(s) that delineate which lengths/spaces are contracting and in what proportion these are to the time dilation.
OK thanks. Actually, I meant to say "length" contraction. But let's take the example of a rocket making a round trip to a nearby star at close to c. According to the rocket's clocks, maybe 50 years pass (I'm not doing math here, just giving a rough estimate), but back on Earth thousands of years...
Hi. I know that space for an object in motion will contract, relative to an observer. We generally read that space contracts for the object in the direction of motion. But doesn't space around the object also contract? Can someone clarify this? Thanks.
Sorry for some probably very basic questions, but here goes.
If gravity equals acceleration, how is the Earth's gravity defined by acceleration?
If an accelerating body distorts spacetime, as described in Einstein's thought experiment about a light beam shined through an accelerating box...
Greene on Spacetime
Greene explains time dilation using his analogy about a car having less eastward motion because it heads more northward. So, he says, we are all moving at the speed of light through spacetime. If we thus increase our speed through space, we have less speed for time, so time...
Sorry, but I don't see how post #7 answers my question. I mean, it might, but I don't understand how it does. I understand that c is constant for all reference frames. I guess my question is why? If given the example of an observer traveling .75c in the same direction as a light beam, my...
Harrylin, I just saw your answer, after I posted my question somewhat differently. And now I see the quote button! Anyway, you originally sent me to that equation, and while I think I understand how it works at solving for different speeds by an observer, I guess I'm confused about why c is...
Sorry, I don't see any quote button. Perhaps it doesn't exist in Google Chrome?
Anyway, I posted my question on this thread because harrylin, the esteemed commentator here, suggested the answer to my question could be found in the post I referenced. It does seem my query would fit more...
Are the time dilation and length contraction attributes of SR specifically addressed in this equation, or elsewhere in SR? thanks (For some reason the quote did not pick up the equation, but it's the one in post #3.)
Hi folks. Kindly indulge me in a dumb question. OK, I easily understand the constancy of c given in the case of someone "chasing" a beam of light. Say, the traveler is going .75c, and nevertheless sees the beam going c. The reason is, time contracts for the traveler proportionally, so that he...