A question about stationary reference frame

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The discussion revolves around the implications of time dilation in special relativity, particularly regarding two synchronized clocks—one stationary on Earth and one traveling at 0.8c in a spaceship. When one year passes on the Earth clock, only 0.6 years pass on the spaceship clock, leading to a total of 2 years on Earth and 1.2 years on the spaceship upon return. The conversation highlights the confusion about reference frames, emphasizing that while each frame can have its own time, the time elapsed is independent of the frame of reference. The paradox often arises from misunderstanding the effects of acceleration on the traveling clock, as it is not in a single inertial frame throughout the journey. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that time dilation calculations must consider the nature of the observer's frame, particularly when acceleration is involved.
  • #31
Let's say I am the stationary observer and there is spaceship moving at .8c relative to me.

I see one year on my clock and I see .6 years on his clock. What time does he see on his own clock?

I want to say he sees 1 year on his clock and .6 on mine, but I'm not sure.
 
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  • #32
In either inertial frame, the spaceship twin or the Earth twin, it is valid for each to consider themselves at rest and the other as moving.

However, in order to compare the clocks, one, or the other, or both frameworks must undergo acceleration to bring them into a common frame. It is this acceleration which differentiates one inertial frame from the other.
 
  • #33
goodabouthood said:
Let's say I am the stationary observer and there is spaceship moving at .8c relative to me.

I see one year on my clock and I see .6 years on his clock. What time does he see on his own clock?

I want to say he sees 1 year on his clock and .6 on mine, but I'm not sure.
If you are changing your scenario so that the spaceship continues on in the same direction and doesn't turn around, then yes, in your FOR, when 1 year passes for you, .6 years passes for the ship and in the ship's FOR, when 1 year passes for it, .6 years passes for you.

But you should be aware that neither of you can actually see the others clock as you are asking about. When you see 1 year pass on your own clock, you will actually see 4 months (1/3 year) year pass on the ship's clock and in the same way when the ship see's 1 year pass on its own clock, it will see 4 months (1/3 year) pass on your clock. This is called the Relativistic Doppler effect and is a result of the time dilation of .6 years plus the time it takes for the image of the ship's clock to propagate across space to your clock and vice versa.
 
  • #34
so all moving bodies that are inertial are symmetrical to whatever inertial frame you choose, correct?
 
  • #35
No, they are symmetrical to each other but you can use any inertial frame you choose to define, analyze and demonstrate what is going on.
 

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