CSnowden
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- Looking for logical fault in a simple explanation of the Twins Paradox
In what sense is the following explanation of the Twins Paradox faulty in logic:
Each twin views the other as length contracted, but the twin on earth only sees the rocket in motion and thus shortened (along with the twin) while the destination planet is at rest in the earth frame and the distance to it is not contracted. However, the rocket twin sees the destination planet approaching at high speed and thus the entire distance to the planet is contracted and covered in a shorter time. The Return Trip seems subject to identical considerations of shorter travel versus the Earth Twin..
It is true that the rocket twin will see time passing more slowly on the Earth Twin's clock and so they will arrive back with their version of the Earth Twin's clock consistent with their shorter trip and their earlier age.
Each twin views the other as length contracted, but the twin on earth only sees the rocket in motion and thus shortened (along with the twin) while the destination planet is at rest in the earth frame and the distance to it is not contracted. However, the rocket twin sees the destination planet approaching at high speed and thus the entire distance to the planet is contracted and covered in a shorter time. The Return Trip seems subject to identical considerations of shorter travel versus the Earth Twin..
It is true that the rocket twin will see time passing more slowly on the Earth Twin's clock and so they will arrive back with their version of the Earth Twin's clock consistent with their shorter trip and their earlier age.