Time Dilation Effects of Warp Travel | 65 Characters

In summary, time dilation effects occur during warp travel due to the bending of space-time. This results in a slower passage of time for the travelers compared to those remaining stationary. The magnitude of this effect increases with the speed of travel, making it a significant factor to consider in long-distance space journeys.
  • #1
TheFloppyFIsh
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I was looking at Time Dialation a bit today and some of the experiments with it. Considering time goes approximately 1/3 as fast as normal, under 100% the speed of light, what would happen if you went past the speed of light with a craft capable of warping.
Would it have no effect due to the fact space is moving and not the ship. Or could space instead be dilated? Just some food for thought.

*sidenote: considering light goes 100% of light could it actually be going much faster, except the time dilation makes it appear slower?
 
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  • #2
If you are on a hypothetical spaceship traveling at near light speed, time will appear to be normal for you.
Your clock will appear to slow down as seen by an observer standing at the place of your departure.

The only candidate for a warp drive is the Alcubierre drive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcubierre_drive.
This does indeed involve changing the shape of space, or dilation of space if you like
 
  • #3
TheFloppyFIsh said:
Considering time goes approximately 1/3 as fast as normal, under 100% the speed of light
1/3 corresponds to a speed below the speed of light. You cannot reach the speed of light, or even exceed it. You might be able to shorten the distance to your target, but that is independent of time dilation then. The details how this warping is done can still influence how the journey will look like (and how long it will take) for observers outside.
 
  • #4
rootone said:
If you are on a hypothetical spaceship traveling at near light speed, time will appear to be normal for you.
Your clock will appear to slow down as seen by an observer standing at the place of your departure.

The only candidate for a warp drive is the Alcubierre drive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcubierre_drive.
This does indeed involve changing the shape of space, or dilation of space if you like

Even if technical hurdles appear to be solved, no FTL model solves causality paradoxes, if it also allows FTL to occur in multiple inertial reference frames.
 
  • #5
I wouldn't say that the Alcubierre drive idea is a technical solution, it's just a solution that doesn't violate relativity in principle.
For it work, exotic forms of matter are required, which most likely can't exist.
There is also the problem that, according to some, deceleration from the warped state would release energy sufficient to destroy everything in the vicinity ahead of the ship, and the problems don't end there.
There are also as you said causality paradoxes to contend with.
 
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  • #6
TheFloppyFIsh said:
I was looking at Time Dialation a bit today and some of the experiments with it. Considering time goes approximately 1/3 as fast as normal, under 100% the speed of light
Where did this 1/3 number come from, and what velocity does it correspond do?
, what would happen if you went past the speed of light with a craft capable of warping.
Would it have no effect due to the fact space is moving and not the ship. Or could space instead be dilated? Just some food for thought.

*sidenote: considering light goes 100% of light could it actually be going much faster, except the time dilation makes it appear slower?

As a general rule, relativity says that you can't go as fast as light, so it can't answer the question about what happens if you hypothetically violate it.
 
  • #7
To bone up on the effects of relativistic velocities on time dilation, have a look at the super-simple relativistic calculator at the bottom of this page:

http://www.1728.org/reltivty.htm
 

1. What is time dilation in relation to warp travel?

Time dilation is a phenomenon where time appears to pass slower for an object or person moving at high speeds. In the context of warp travel, this means that time will pass slower for a spaceship traveling at warp speed compared to a stationary observer on Earth.

2. How does warp speed cause time dilation?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, as an object's velocity increases, its mass also increases. This increase in mass causes time to pass slower for the object, resulting in time dilation. Since warp speed is a form of extremely high velocity, it causes significant time dilation for objects traveling at that speed.

3. What are the potential effects of time dilation on space travelers?

The main effect of time dilation on space travelers is that they will experience time passing slower than those on Earth. This means that their journey may feel shorter, but when they return to Earth, they will have aged less compared to their peers who remained on the planet.

4. Can time dilation be reversed during warp travel?

No, time dilation is a fundamental principle of physics and cannot be reversed. However, it can be minimized by using technology such as time dilation compensators, which can help space travelers synchronize their clocks with those on Earth.

5. How do scientists account for time dilation in warp travel calculations?

Scientists use complex mathematical equations and specialized software to account for time dilation in warp travel calculations. This allows them to accurately predict the effects of time dilation on space travelers and plan for any necessary adjustments to their journey.

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