Clock of Observers: Who Sees Whose Clock Running Slower?

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In summary, there are three observers in this scenario: A on Earth, B in a car moving at high speed, and C outside the galaxy. All observers see their own clocks running normally. A and B will both see each other's clocks running slower due to their relative speeds. For observer C, both A and B's clocks will appear to be running slower due to their relative velocities. However, it is not possible for C to be at rest relative to both A and B, as they are moving relative to each other. This raises the question of which clock will appear to run slower for C, but this cannot be answered without specifying C's velocity relative to A and B. This dilemma is known as the "Andromeda paradox
  • #1
Hepic
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We have three observers. The A is in earth,B is into a car that runs with big speed,C is out of galaxy.

All observesr see that their clock runs normal. A will see that clock of B run slower,and B will see the same for A.

1)
Logically, C will see A's and B's clock run slower from his clock,but which clock will run slower? A's or B's (I think A's,because has more speed,I am right?)

2)
And from the opposite,who from both(A,B) will see C's clock run slower?(I think again A,due of speed).

I am correct to 1) and 2)


Thanks!
 
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  • #2
What do you mean by 'see' in this

A will see that clock of B run slower,and B will see the same for A.

If you mean 'by visual contact', then clocks moving away appear slower and approaching clocks appear faster.
 
  • #3
That for observer A,clock of B run slower,and for B,clock of A run slower from his clock.
 
  • #4
Hepic said:
That for observer A,clock of B run slower,and for B,clock of A run slower from his clock.
Sure, but this is not a directly observable physical effect. It appears when either time is converted from its rest frame coordinates to the moving frame coordinates.
 
  • #5
Hepic said:
We have three observers. The A is in earth,B is into a car that runs with big speed,C is out of galaxy.

You still have to specify C's velocity relative to the other two before we can answer the question. Just because he's a looooong ways away doesn't mean he cannot be at rest relative to one, the other, or neither.
(In special relativity, that is. In the general relativity case, we have to be a lot more careful about specifying C's state of motion).

You may be on your way to (re)discovering the "Andromeda paradox".
 
  • #6
C is standing about A and B.
 
  • #8
Hepic said:
C is standing about A and B.

C cannot be at rest relative to both A and B. They're moving relative to one another, so anything at rest relative to one is moving relative to the other.
 

1. Which clock will appear to run slower to an observer?

The clock that is moving at a higher velocity will appear to run slower to an observer.

2. How does the speed of light play a role in the Clock of Observers?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, the speed of light is the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. This means that the observed difference in clock rates is due to the difference in velocity between the two clocks.

3. Does the theory of time dilation only apply to clocks?

No, the theory of time dilation can be applied to any object in motion. However, the effects are most noticeable when comparing clocks due to their precise timekeeping abilities.

4. Is the Clock of Observers a proven phenomenon?

Yes, the effects of time dilation have been confirmed through numerous experiments and observations, including the famous Hafele-Keating experiment in 1971.

5. Can time dilation only occur between two clocks in relative motion?

No, time dilation can also occur between a clock in a gravitational field and a clock in free space. This is known as gravitational time dilation and is also predicted by Einstein's theory of relativity.

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