Does a moving clock really run slow or is time dilation an optical illusion?

[Amith2006]

# I have some difficulty in understanding the concept of time dilation in special theory of relativity. According to this theory, when an object travels at speeds comparable to that of light, the time shown by a clock attached to the moving object(t-o) is less than the time shown by a clock attached to an inertial frame of reference(t1) with respect to the object. Is it an optical illusion for the observer in the inertial frame of reference or does the clock attached to the object really move slowly at such speeds? I know that it can be proved mathematically; still I am unable to accept it.

 

[Vanadium 50]

If a mathematical proof won't cause you to accept something, what would?

 

[Dale]

Perhaps http://www.edu-observatory.org/physics-faq/Relativity/SR/experiments.html#Tests_of_time_dilation".

 

[Fredrik]

I suggest you learn to draw space-time diagrams. They are by far the most useful tool when you're trying to understand SR.