A silly question about time zones

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of time zones and the International Date Line, specifically addressing how time changes when crossing different time zones and the implications for the date. Participants explore the mechanics of time zone changes and the peculiarities of the International Date Line.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how time changes across different time zones, particularly when moving from GMT +0 to GMT +2 and then to GMT -11.
  • Another participant explains that the day changes at the International Date Line, using a humorous analogy about being on both sides of the line.
  • A participant poses a hypothetical scenario about running in circles at the South Pole and crossing the International Date Line, questioning the implications for the passage of time.
  • One participant discusses the concept of continuously traveling west and the resulting time changes, emphasizing the discontinuity at the International Date Line.
  • Another participant reiterates the scenario of running in circles at the South Pole, humorously suggesting the ability to lose several days in a short time.
  • One participant acknowledges the humorous nature of the discussion and thanks others for their contributions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants engage in a light-hearted exploration of time zones and the International Date Line, with some humorous exchanges. However, there is no consensus on the implications of crossing time zones or the specific mechanics of time change, as the discussion remains exploratory and speculative.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the nature of time zones and the International Date Line, with some participants using humor to illustrate their points. The implications of time zone changes are not resolved, and the mechanics remain open to interpretation.

Nikitin
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heh, a very stupid question, but hey what the heck.

Let's say it's monday 23:00 GMT +0. If we move to GMT +2, it's already Tuesday, 01:00.

If we move to, say, GMT+12 it's Tuesday 11:00. Now, if we move one timezone to GMT -11 it's 12:00.. Monday right?? can someone give me a short explanation of all of this? I am very confused about when you change days and so on..
 
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The day changes on the International Dateline. If you have one foot on one side of the line, and the other foot on the other side of the line then part of you is enjoying a pleasant weekend while the other part is hard at work doing a job you hate. If both feet are right on the line then you are drowning because the line zig-zags to avoid landfall.
 
So, so you're standing on the south pole and you're running in circles around the south pole. Then you're constantly crossing the International Dateline. Does that mean that you can let several days pass in just a matter of hours? :biggrin:
 
If I start at any point on the Earth and move one time zone west, it is an hour earlier. But imagine flying continuously around the Earth to the west - it can't just keep getting earlier and earlier indefinitely, or I could go back and say hello to Columbus. So I must have a discontinuity somewhere. This could be anywhere on the Earth, but by convention, this point is at the international date line. So if I start in London (for example) and travel west, it keeps getting earlier and earlier until I cross the international date line, at which point it suddenly gets 24 hours later, from UTC-12 hours to UTC+12 hours. It then continues to get successively earlier until I get back to my starting point.
 
micromass said:
So, so you're standing on the south pole and you're running in circles around the south pole. Then you're constantly crossing the International Dateline. Does that mean that you can let several days pass in just a matter of hours? :biggrin:
You will lose 24 hours, one hour at a time for every 24 hours you gain all at once when you cross the dateline. Don't forget to adjust the date when you get to GMT +1.
 
micromass said:
So, so you're standing on the south pole and you're running in circles around the south pole. Then you're constantly crossing the International Dateline. Does that mean that you can let several days pass in just a matter of hours? :biggrin:
I knew you were from the future!
 
thanks!
 

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