Two Spheres, Two Humans: Who is Older?

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In summary, the conversation discusses two spheres in free space with two humans on each. As the spheres move apart and come back together, they experience symmetric gravitational time dilation, resulting in each individual observing the other's clock moving at the same rate. This is due to the constant gravitational potential in a flat spacetime.
  • #1
aritrasasmal
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Let there be two spheres in free space. Also there are two humans on each of them.
Now the spheres move apart and come together again(like a harmonic oscillator),
When they move apart , wrt one human the other is moving into lesser grav field and when he comes back he should have aged less than him. But to the other the observations are the same. So ehen they come together how will they agree on who is older? Will they?
 
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  • #2
The situation is symmetric, when they come back together, they should've aged at the same rate.
 
  • #3
Polyrhythmic said:
The situation is symmetric, when they come back together, they should've aged at the same rate.

Please elaborate on your answer. Note we are looking from the point of view of each individual.
 
  • #4
aritrasasmal said:
Please elaborate on your answer. Note we are looking from the point of view of each individual.

You're confusing SR inertial frame principles with GR non-inertial frames. Also, you have gravitational time dilation backwards - moving to lower gravity leads to faster aging, not slower.

Anyway, as they move apart, each experiences less gravity (strength due to combined masses), thus faster aging, then slower, completely symmetric. Each observes the other's clock moving the *same* as theirs, at all times.
 
  • #5
It seems that he moves into a lesser grav field compare to the field before the move, not lesser than the field where the stationary man is, no?
 
  • #6
What role do the spheres play in the example?

As Polyrhythmic said, it's a symmetric situation, so of course they'll agree.

aritrasasmal said:
When they move apart , wrt one human the other is moving into lesser grav field and when he comes back he should have aged less than him.

I think this must be where you're running into trouble. I assume you're talking about flat spacetime here. In a static spacetime, which this is, gravitational time dilation can be determined from the gravitational potential (not the field). In a flat spacetime, there is a constant gravitational potential, so there's no gravitational time dilation.
 

1. What is the concept of "Two Spheres, Two Humans: Who is Older?"

The concept of "Two Spheres, Two Humans: Who is Older?" refers to a thought experiment in which two hypothetical spheres are inhabited by two humans. The question is which human is older, assuming they both have the same birthdate and have been living on their respective spheres since birth.

2. How is this thought experiment relevant to science?

This thought experiment is relevant to science because it raises questions about the effects of different environments on human development and aging. It also prompts discussions about the concept of time and how it is measured, as well as the role of nature versus nurture in human growth and development.

3. What factors may influence the aging process in this experiment?

Some possible factors that may influence the aging process in this experiment include the size and gravity of the spheres, the composition of their atmospheres, the availability of resources and nutrients, and potential exposure to different environmental hazards.

4. Is there a definitive answer to the question of who is older?

No, there is not a definitive answer to this question as it is a hypothetical scenario. The age of the humans in this thought experiment would depend on a variety of factors and different individuals may have different interpretations or theories about the outcome.

5. How does this thought experiment relate to real-world scientific research?

This thought experiment can serve as a starting point for scientific research on the effects of different environments on human development and aging. It can also prompt discussions and studies on the perception and measurement of time, as well as the role of nature and nurture in human growth and development.

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