Time Is Relative: What Does It Mean?

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Time is relative, meaning it varies based on relative motion and gravitational fields, as explained by special and general relativity. According to special relativity, time depends on the speed of an object in relation to another clock. General relativity states that time can also be affected by gravitational fields. This leads to scenarios where, due to high speeds, one can return from a journey younger than their children, as time passes differently based on relative conditions. Ultimately, the concept illustrates that time is not a fixed entity but is influenced by various factors.
Helicobacter
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Hi,

my old physics teacher once told me that time is relative. But what does "time is relative" actually mean? Does time depend on something?

Thanks in advance!
 
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Helicobacter said:
Hi,
my old physics teacher once told me that time is relative. But what does "time is relative" actually mean? Does time depend on something?
Thanks in advance!

Yes it depends on your relative motion, your relative speed in relation to another clock (SR special relativity). Relative time can also depend on your depth in a garavitational field in ralation to another clock (GR - general relativity).

Given enough relative speed, speed of light being the limit, you can actually come back from a trip younger than your own kids. That doen't mean that you age slower, time itself was slower in comparison.
 

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In an inertial frame of reference (IFR), there are two fixed points, A and B, which share an entangled state $$ \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(|0>_A|1>_B+|1>_A|0>_B) $$ At point A, a measurement is made. The state then collapses to $$ |a>_A|b>_B, \{a,b\}=\{0,1\} $$ We assume that A has the state ##|a>_A## and B has ##|b>_B## simultaneously, i.e., when their synchronized clocks both read time T However, in other inertial frames, due to the relativity of simultaneity, the moment when B has ##|b>_B##...
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