How much faster does time pass in space in comparison to that on Earth?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison of time passage in space versus on Earth, focusing on concepts of gravitational time dilation and special relativity. Participants explore how different frames of reference and gravitational influences affect the perception of time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants interpret the original question as relating to gravitational time dilation, suggesting that clocks on Earth run slower compared to those far from gravitational fields.
  • One participant presents a formula for time dilation, indicating that a distant observer's clock runs approximately 1.000000000696 times faster than a clock on Earth.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to specify the location in space when discussing time passage, mentioning various scenarios such as a spaceship, cosmic rays, or Jupiter's orbit, highlighting the complexity of inertial frames of reference.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about reconciling the effects of gravity with the principles of special relativity, noting that time would appear slower in space from Earth's perspective, while also acknowledging that relative velocity plays a crucial role in time passage.
  • There is a clarification that if two objects are at rest with respect to each other, there would be no difference in the rate at which time passes, according to special relativity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are multiple competing views regarding the effects of gravitational fields and relative motion on time passage. The discussion remains unresolved with differing interpretations of the relationship between gravity and time dilation.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the need for specific definitions of locations in space and the dependence on relative velocities between observers. The discussion does not resolve the complexities of gravitational effects versus special relativity.

Ralphonsicus
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The title says it all really. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
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Pass, could be a better term.
 
If I'm interpreting your question correctly, you're asking how much slower clocks run on Earth due to gravitational time dilation?

An observer that's a very large distance away from any gravitational fields would measure the time interval between two events on Earth to be:

\Delta t=\frac{\Delta \tau }{\sqrt{1-2GM/rc^2}}

where \Delta \tau is the time between the events as measured on Earth.

Using the appropriate numbers for M and r, we get that the distant observer's clock runs about 1.000000000696 times as fast as the clock on Earth.
 
Thanks, just what I was looking for.
 
WHERE in space would have to be determined. You could speak of a spaceship beyond the gravitational field traveling at a constant speedwhile observed by a person standing on the Earth looking up at the ship with a telescope. Or you could speak of a cosmic ray shooting by the same observer at a constant speed. Or you could speak of the planet Jupiter orbiting the sun at its' constant speed while the observer on Earth orbits the sun too. These three are any three of an untold number of inertial frames of reference (movements in space) which can be compared to the observer on Earth standing there in his own inertial frame of reference relativelyspeaking. So there will be an untold number of answers if you set up the problem this way. And according to the special theory of relativity there is no other way to set it up. Its' the old person on moving train versus person standing on tracks observing so to speak. with a light reflected between two mirrors on the train traveling straight up and down and yet traveling diagonally to reach wayside observer thereby causing to ensue all the relativity math with its' time dilation and spaceshortening. I hope this isn't a silly answer to a great question which opens the doorway to it all.
 
Sorry I didn't realize you were referring to the gravitational field situation only. My reply concerned just special relativity no consideration of the slowing effect of gravity just what's out there in space speed wise as compared to here on earth. Things will would always be slower in space from our standpoint and we'd be the slower ones from outer space's, standpoint. According to special relativity. How you reconcile this with the slowing effect of gravity on Earth clocks as compared to space clocks I am too limited to imagine.
 
Things will would always be slower in space from our standpoint and we'd be the slower ones from outer space's, standpoint. According to special relativity.

Only true if there is a difference in the relative velocity between the object in space and the object on the earth.

If they are at rest with respect to each other, then there is no difference in the rate time passes, if we are only considering SR.
 

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