I wonder why massive objects slow down time

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of time dilation in the context of massive objects such as stars and black holes, specifically exploring gravitational time dilation and its implications in general relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the explanation for gravitational time dilation.
  • One participant argues that massive objects do not slow down time, suggesting a confusion between differential aging and time dilation.
  • This participant explains that while clocks do not tick at different rates based on location, they can take different paths through spacetime, leading to different aging outcomes when they reunite.
  • Another participant mentions that general relativity replaces Newton's theory of gravity with the concept of curved spacetime, which is derived from Einstein's Field Equations.
  • There is a comparison made between the paths of two cars traveling at the same speed but taking different routes, illustrating the concept of differential aging.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of time dilation and its relationship to massive objects, indicating that multiple competing views remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion touches on complex concepts such as general relativity and the nature of gravitational forces, with some assumptions about the definitions of time dilation and aging remaining implicit.

HG009
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Why does massive objects like stars and black holes slows time
 
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:welcome:

Are you asking for an explanation for Gravitational Time Dilation?
 
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HG009 said:
Why does massive objects like stars and black holes slows time
It doesn't. You are confusing differential aging with time dilation.

Clocks do not tick at a different rate (and no person ages differently) based on where they are. What DOES happen is that clocks (and people) can take different paths through space-time so that if they separate and then meet up again they can have aged by different amounts.

Exactly the same as two cars can each go from point A out into the world and then come back again, both always going 60 miles per hour, but having gone by different path, have a different number of miles on their odometers.
 
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PeroK said:
:welcome:

Are you asking for an explanation for Gravitational Time Dilation?
Yes
 
phinds said:
It doesn't. You are confusing differential aging with time dilation.

Clocks do not tick at a different rate (and no person ages differently) based on where they are. What DOES happen is that clocks (and people) can take different paths through space-time so that if they separate and then meet up again they can have aged by different amounts.

Exactly the same as two cars can each go from point A out into the world and then come back again, both always going 60 miles per hour, but having gone by different path, have a different number of miles on their odometers.
Thanks! Actually I'm new here so I just posted a sample question :)
 
HG009 said:
Thanks! Actually I'm new here so I just posted a sample question :)
At least a few of us are too old for that.
 
HG009 said:
Yes
General Relativity replaces Newton's theory of gravity with curved spacetime instead of a gravitational force. Curved spacetime follows directly from Einstein's Field Equations, which are the laws that replace Newton's law of gravity.

Your question is the same as asking why massive bodies exert a gravitational force on each other? That is a law of physics from which all else follows.
 
sysprog said:
At least a few of us are too old for that
PeroK said:
General Relativity replaces Newton's theory of gravity with curved spacetime instead of a gravitational force. Curved spacetime follows directly from Einstein's Field Equations, which are the laws that replace Newton's law of gravity.

Your question is the same as asking why massive bodies exert a gravitational force on each other? That is a law of physics from which all else follows.
Thanks!
 

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