The discussion centers around the effects of traveling at light speed on the passage of time, specifically how much time would pass for a traveler compared to a stationary observer. The scope includes theoretical implications of Special Relativity and mathematical reasoning related to time dilation.
Participants generally agree on the mathematical formulation related to time dilation and the impossibility of reaching the speed of light, but the discussion does not explore deeper implications or alternative models.
The discussion does not address potential limitations of the equation in terms of practical application or the assumptions underlying Special Relativity.
Thank you, that is just what I was looking for. But just to be clear it doesn't make any sense to input the speed of light and above because it's thought impossible to reach, correct?ghwellsjr said:Yes, the equation is τ=t√(1-β2) where τ (tau) is the time for the traveler, t, is the time in the stationary frame, and β, beta, is the speed you want to travel as a fraction of the speed of light and can have a value from 0 up to but not including 1 (which is the speed of light). If you pick a speed of 1, then you get the same answer no matter what t is which doesn't make any sense. But pick any smaller value and you can use the equation. This equation was published by Einstein in his famous 1905 paper introducing Special Relativity near the end of section 4.