Gravitational and movement related time dilation

In summary, the conversation discusses how to calculate the exact time dilation experienced by a massive object moving close to the speed of light near a black hole. It also explores how the time dilation due to movement and gravitational time dilation stack together. The conversation concludes that the total time dilation experienced by the massive object is the product of the two individual time dilations.
  • #1
serp777
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Consider a massive object moving close to the speed of light. Imagine it travels close to a black hole, but does not enter the black hole. How do you calculate the exact time dilation experienced by the massive object's reference frame? How does time dilation due to movement stack with gravitational time dilation?
 
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  • #2
Imagine a distant static observer that observes a local static observer's clock at the same place that the massive object is moving. According to the distant observer, the local observer's clock is ticking at a rate that is sqrt(1 - 2 m / r) slower due to gravitational time dilation. Locally SR is valid so the static observer also measures the time of the massive object be kinematically sqrt(1 - (v/c)^2) slower. Since there is no relativity of simultaneity between the static observers, the distant observer will also agree that the rate of time of the moving massive object is sqrt(1 - (v/c)^2) slower than the local clock, while the local clock is sqrt(1 - 2 m / r) slower than the distant observer's own clock, so according to the distant observer that is static to the black hole, the total time dilation of the massive object is sqrt(1 - 2 m / r) sqrt(1 - (v/c)^2), where v is the locally measured speed of the object.
 

1. What is gravitational time dilation?

Gravitational time dilation is the phenomenon where time moves slower in regions with stronger gravitational fields. This means that time passes at a different rate for objects in different gravitational environments.

2. What causes gravitational time dilation?

Gravitational time dilation is caused by the warping of space-time due to the presence of massive objects. This warping of space-time is described by Einstein's theory of general relativity.

3. How does movement affect time dilation?

Movement-related time dilation, also known as relativistic time dilation, is the phenomenon where time moves slower for objects that are moving at high speeds. This is due to the relationship between time and space, as described by Einstein's theory of special relativity.

4. How is time dilation measured?

Time dilation can be measured through experiments using highly accurate clocks. These clocks are synchronized and then one is placed in a different gravitational or movement-related environment. After a period of time, the two clocks are compared and the difference in time is the measure of time dilation.

5. What are some practical applications of time dilation?

Time dilation has been observed and accounted for in various technological systems, such as GPS satellites, which need to take into account both gravitational and movement-related time dilation effects in order to function accurately. Time dilation also plays a role in space travel and exploration, as it affects the passage of time for astronauts in orbit or on deep space missions.

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