Is There a Connection Between Time and Size in Physics?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter capcom1983
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Time
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the potential correlation between time and size in physics, particularly considering hypothetical observers of significant size, such as beings the size of planets. It touches on concepts from general relativity and special relativity, examining how these theories might relate to the perception of time for different observers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether time would appear to pass differently for a planet-sized observer compared to time on Earth.
  • One participant suggests that light's travel time could affect measurements for a large observer, raising concerns about delays in sensory processing.
  • Another participant references general relativity, noting that gravitational potential affects the passage of time, with time passing more slowly in stronger gravitational fields.
  • There is mention of special relativity and how relative speeds might also influence the perception of time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the relationship between time and size, with some agreeing on the relevance of relativity while others raise questions about the implications of size on time perception. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of hypothetical beings and their physical properties, as well as the implications of relativity without fully resolving the complexities involved.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in theoretical physics, relativity, and the conceptual implications of size on time perception may find this discussion relevant.

capcom1983
Messages
26
Reaction score
0
Is there a correlation between time and size? Say there was a being the size of a planet (our observer) would our time on Earth seem to pass quicker to the observer or would it be the same?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Light travels at about 1 foot per nanosecond. You could do an experiment on a six-foot lab bench and measure the time it takes for light to travel the length of the bench and back as 12 nanoseconds. If you were six feet tall, would that have any bearing on your measurement?

Now if your nerves carried signals at the speed of light and your brain could process information really fast, you might have a hard time walking because there would be a 12 nanosecond delay between your eyes and brain telling your foot to avoid that hole in the ground and you seeing your foot reacting. So your huge observer would have similar issues but keep in mind that gravity would collapse any such being into a near-perfect sphere, just like planets are so it's really something that is impossible to happen.
 
Thanks
 
Code: 
Say there was a being the size of a planet (our observer) would our time on Earth seem to pass quicker to the observer or would it be the same?

There is a correlation [from general relativity] between gravitational potential and the passage of time. For example, time appears to pass more slowly on our sun than on earth.

There is also another correlation between relative speeds [from special relativity].
 
Thanks as well I'm new to physics (at 30) as my major was in psychology and minor anatomy so any help would be great
 

Similar threads

High School Is time an illusion?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad How does GR deal with pointlike objects with mass?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Undergrad What causes an accelerated clock to record less events
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad 2 objects of enormous volume each in relative motion very close to c
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
High School Relativistic simultaneity and effects on time
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Undergrad Questions about a thought experiment involving time dilation
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
High School Does the gravitational distortion of mass still exist in the past?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
2K
Undergrad A matter of time dilation: how much time has actually passed?
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
2K
High School Can We Use Space/Time Fabric to See the Past?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Spacetime expansion - time dimension expansion
  • · Replies 48 ·
2
Replies
48
Views
4K