Trying to understand time delineation

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Vivaci
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Time
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of time dilation, with a focus on understanding its graphical representation and underlying principles. Participants explore different ways to visualize and explain time dilation, including the use of spacetime diagrams and the spacetime interval.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • A participant expresses difficulty in understanding time dilation and seeks a layman's explanation, referencing their own graphical representation.
  • Another participant suggests using a traditional 1,1 spacetime diagram to clarify the concept, emphasizing the importance of the spacetime interval as a foundational element in relativity.
  • One participant critiques the original diagrams, stating they pertain more to the classical Doppler effect rather than time dilation, and recommends focusing on 2D time/distance diagrams for clarity.
  • A participant notes accessibility issues with viewing diagrams due to regional internet restrictions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to visualize time dilation, with differing opinions on the relevance of the original diagrams and the appropriate dimensionality for representation.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the clarity of the diagrams and the assumptions made about the speed of light in different reference frames. Additionally, the accessibility of external resources may affect participants' ability to engage fully with the content.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the conceptual and graphical aspects of time dilation, particularly those new to the topic or seeking alternative explanations and visualizations.

Vivaci
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hi, it is my first time posting on this forum, and you have no doubt seen similar questions.

I am just an average person trying to understand the concept of time dilation. So I've read through the theory, but my mind goes all fuzzy when I get to this part.
So I know I'm missing something major, and I might be comparing apples with pears.

I made this graphical representation (of my thoughts) to try and reason it out. Still no success. Could someone explain in layman's terms, with reference to my pics?

[PLAIN]http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/8779/timedelineation.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi Vivaci, welcome to PF,

I can't really follow your diagrams. Perhaps you can work in a traditional 1,1 spacetime diagram which is drawn with the time axis vertical and one spatial dimension horizontal with the other two spatial dimensions suppressed to make it easier to draw.

As far as an easy explanation, I actually prefer to start from the spacetime interval. There is a quantity called the spacetime interval which is the same in all reference frames. It can be written:

ds²=-c²dt²+dx²+dy²+dz²

All of the relativistic effects can be derived from this one formula.
 
Welcome to PF, Vivaci!

I think I understand your first two lines of diagrams. Nothing wrong with them except the "when you will see the object..." part, this point is obviously to the right of "You" in the first diagram.
However, they have nothing to do with time dilation, the're only concerning the classical doppler effect.
Time dilation is what is left after you correct for light travel times. You have to draw http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_d...ce_of_time_dilation_due_to_relative_velocity" to derive it, and you have to use the assumption that the speed of light is the same in all diagrams.

For your other diagrams: you don't need 3D graphs for this "experiment". Try to plot the relevant events and worldlines in a simple 2D time/distance diagram. You'll need http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime_diagram" anyway if you want to learn relativity.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Perhaps it is my account but I do not see any diagrams.
Oh, never mind, I found out why, here in China not everything is accessible and imageshack is one of the blocked sites.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Confused about time dilation -- motion vs energy
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School Trying to understand what "time" is (layperson)
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Undergrad Question about length contraction
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
6K
Undergrad Is Time Dilation Just a Misunderstanding of Clock Errors?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Undergrad Does the past of an observer still actually exist in their "now"?
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
6K
Undergrad What causes time dilation and length contraction
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Undergrad Time dilatopause for black holes
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
Undergrad Understanding the historical shift away from absolute simultaneity
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
High School Relativistic simultaneity and effects on time
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Undergrad Is Absolute Position Necessary to Understand Relativity?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K