The Proper Time in Lorentz Space: Is it Infinite for the Resting Twin?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of proper time in Lorentz space, particularly in the context of a twin paradox scenario where one twin travels around a massive body while the other remains at rest. Participants explore whether the proper time for the traveling twin can be defined or if it becomes infinite when considering a massless scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that when mass (m) is zero, the Schwarzschild spacetime reduces to Lorentz spacetime, leading to questions about the definition of proper time for the traveling twin.
  • Others challenge this notion, suggesting that the scenario may be misinterpreted and that proper time can be defined even in a massless context, particularly when considering trajectories far from any mass.
  • One participant emphasizes that proper time for a twin traveling in a circular path is well-defined and can be calculated using specific formulas, indicating that it is not infinite.
  • There is a call for clarity regarding the types of trajectories being discussed in different spacetimes, particularly in relation to the proper time calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the definition and implications of proper time in the context of massless scenarios. There is no consensus on whether the proper time can be infinite or not, as differing interpretations of the scenario are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of specifying the conditions under which proper time is being discussed, particularly the relevance of distance from massive bodies and the nature of the trajectories involved.

Nilupa
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We know, when m=0, the schwarzschild space time becomes lorentz space time. Then, the proper time taken by one twin (A) to travel around the massive body in lorentz space while the other twin at rest can not be defined or it will be infinite. Is that true?
 
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If m = 0, there is no massive body. I'm not sure what scenario you are imagining.
 
Nilupa said:
We know, when m=0, the schwarzschild space time becomes lorentz space time. Then, the proper time taken by one twin (A) to travel around the massive body in lorentz space while the other twin at rest can not be defined or it will be infinite. Is that true?

Do you mean "when r is very large, far enough away from the mass that spacetime is effectively flat"? Otherwise I can't make sense of the question.

If that's what you mean, the proper time for a twin traveling in a giant circle is perfectly well defined and it's not zero - it's whatever the traveler's wristwatch records on the trip. It can calculated by computing the integral of ds along the path (and remember that the path is a closed curve in three-dimensional space but not in four-dimensional spacetime).
 
Then, in de sitter space, also m=0. But, we can have some possible values for the proper time.
 
Nilupa said:
Then, in de sitter space, also m=0. But, we can have some possible values for the proper time.

I think you need to be more explicit about exactly what types of trajectories you are talking about in which spacetimes.
 
Nugatory said:
Do you mean "when r is very large, far enough away from the mass that spacetime is effectively flat"? Otherwise I can't make sense of the question.

If that's what you mean, the proper time for a twin traveling in a giant circle is perfectly well defined and it's not zero - it's whatever the traveler's wristwatch records on the trip. It can calculated by computing the integral of ds along the path (and remember that the path is a closed curve in three-dimensional space but not in four-dimensional spacetime).

Yes, thanks, I can understand.
 
Nilupa said:
We know, when m=0, the schwarzschild space time becomes lorentz space time. Then, the proper time taken by one twin (A) to travel around the massive body in lorentz space while the other twin at rest can not be defined or it will be infinite. Is that true?

No, it is not true, whhere did you get that? In the absence of any gravitational body (your m=0), a circular path traversed by the "traveling twin" takes the amount of time \tau=\frac{2 \pi R}{v}\sqrt{1-(v/c)^2}. The "stay at home" twin , measures on his clock the time t=\frac{2 \pi R}{v}. Here R is the radius of the circular path and v is the speed of the "traveling" twin wrt the "stay at home" twin. The calculations are very simple.
 

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