Twin Paradox Explained: Earth & Space Time Effects

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the Twin Paradox in the context of special relativity, exploring the effects of time dilation as experienced by an astronaut traveling at relativistic speeds compared to a stationary observer on Earth. Participants examine the implications of relative motion and the conditions under which the paradox arises.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that both the Earth observer and the astronaut perceive each other's clocks as running slow, questioning how this leads to the Twin Paradox.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the paradox involves the astronaut needing to turn around to return to Earth, suggesting that this process is crucial for understanding why the traveler ages differently.
  • A later reply corrects a previous statement regarding the aging of the astronaut, indicating that the astronaut is younger upon return, not older.
  • Another participant notes that for the paradox to hold, at least one twin must leave their original inertial frame to reunite with the other.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanics of the Twin Paradox, with no consensus reached on the implications of time dilation and the conditions necessary for the paradox to manifest.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding inertial frames and the specifics of the turnaround process remain unaddressed, leaving certain aspects of the discussion unresolved.

manimaran1605
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A person in the Earth (stationery frame) observes the clock in the spaceship (which almost moving at the speed of light) runs slow right? and an astronaut in the space-ship observes the clock in the earth, to him the clock also appears slow the same rate as the person observes the clock in the spaceship right? Then how does the Twin Paradox works?
 
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Try a forum search. That's only been discussed here about a thousand times.
 
m4r35n357 said:
You haven't got to the "paradox" bit yet. The astronaut needs to turn around and return to the earth. The process of turning round is what makes the traveller older when he gets back.

s/older/younger/

Sorry for that!
 
Hi、manimalan 1605. You are right if they do not meet again. One of them at least has to leave his original frame of inertia to see his brother.
 
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