What Do Observers See in the Special Relativity Clock Paradox?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Special Relativity Clock Paradox, specifically how two observers perceive each other's clocks. According to the principles of special relativity, each observer sees the other's clock ticking slower due to time dilation, despite both having relative motion. The spacetime interval remains invariant across both frames, represented by the equation -t^2 + x^2 = -(t')^2 + (x')^2. This phenomenon is analogous to the behavior of coordinates in Euclidean space, where the tick marks on each observer's time axis are affected by their relative motion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Special Relativity principles
  • Familiarity with time dilation concepts
  • Knowledge of spacetime intervals and Minkowski geometry
  • Basic grasp of Euclidean geometry and coordinate systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical derivation of time dilation in Special Relativity
  • Explore Minkowski spacetime and its implications for physics
  • Learn about Lorentz transformations and their applications
  • Investigate practical examples of time dilation in high-speed scenarios
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in the implications of Special Relativity and time dilation in theoretical and practical contexts.

SpaceExplorer
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
A/to special relativity if one is moving faster, he sees that the clocks w.r.t which he is having relative motion are ticking faster.It increases my curiosity to know what would an observer w.r.t whom the person is having relative motion see, if he observes the
watch of the traveller.Will he see that the traveller's watch is ticking slower or ticking faster?Logically he should observe that the traveller's watch is ticking slower.But it's confusing for me since both are having relative motion w.r.t each other and hence in both the frame of references we can use the same relative speed 'v'(suppose) to calculate the time interval between two events as observed by an observer in the other frame of reference, which tells both should see each other's watch ticking faster.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
SpaceExplorer said:
both should see each other's watch ticking faster.

That is correct. This is, as you say, precisely what the concept of relativity tells you.
 
Both see the other person's clocks ticking slower, not faster. However, the spacetime interval will be the same when calculated in either frame: -t^2 + x^2 = -(t')^2 + (x')^2.

This is analogous to Euclidean space. Consider two Cartesian coordinate systems with the same origin but rotated with respect to each other by an angle \theta. The x-coordinates of the x'-axis will be x'\cos\theta. At same time, the x'-coordinates of the x-axis will similarly be x\cos\theta. In other words, the tick marks on each system's x-axis will be squeezed together on the other system's x-axis. That's analogous to time dilation, except that each observer's t-axis is stretched out on the other person's t-axis due to the difference between Euclidean and Minkowski geometries (the minus sign in the spacetime interval).
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
1K
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
4K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K