Speed of Light & Time: Einstein's Theorem Explained

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SUMMARY

Einstein's theorem establishes that time slows down as one approaches the speed of light, meaning that if humans could travel at light speed, they would experience significantly less passage of time compared to outside observers. For instance, a journey of 4 light years would result in the traveler aging less than 4 years due to this time dilation effect. Additionally, at the speed of light, no time elapses for photons, reinforcing the concept that time is relative to the observer's speed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's Theory of Relativity
  • Familiarity with the concept of time dilation
  • Basic knowledge of the speed of light (299,792,458 m/s)
  • Awareness of relativistic effects on time and space
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of time dilation in high-speed travel
  • Study the mathematical framework of Einstein's Theory of Relativity
  • Explore real-world applications of time dilation, such as GPS technology
  • Investigate the behavior of light and photons in relativistic physics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of relativity, science enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the implications of high-speed travel on time perception.

krishnasrikar
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1. As Einstein's theorem says "time slows down at the speed of light", does it mean that if humans travel at speed of light in future, time will slow down for the travelers as well.

2. If the above one is true, then would it mean that they would reach their destination quicker than assumed. For eg: suppose it would take around 4 light years to reach a 'X' star, would the traveler gets aged by 4 yrs or lower than that i.e. does time slow down.

3. Is time slowing down around the light particles (photons).

sorry for the grammar, i am not good in english.
 
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krishnasrikar said:
1. As Einstein's theorem says "time slows down at the speed of light", does it mean that if humans travel at speed of light in future, time will slow down for the travelers as well.
Time stops at the speed of light, it slows down as you get faster.
it even works today at any speed. It's just that the effect becomes greater the faster you go.
If you cross the atlantic on concorde you age a few microseconds less.

2. If the above one is true, then would it mean that they would reach their destination quicker than assumed. For eg: suppose it would take around 4 light years to reach a 'X' star, would the traveler gets aged by 4 yrs or lower than that i.e. does time slow down.
Time passes slower for the traveller, if it takes 4years for an outside observer the traveller's watch would measure less time.

3. Is time slowing down around the light particles (photons).
At the speed of light no time passes for a photon
 
mgb_phys said:
Time stops at the speed of light, it slows down as you get faster.
it even works today at any speed. It's just that the effect becomes greater the faster you go.
If you cross the atlantic on concorde you age a few microseconds less.


Time passes slower for the traveller, if it takes 4years for an outside observer the traveller's watch would measure less time.


At the speed of light no time passes for a photon

What happens when time stops.

Thanks for the reply.
 

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