What is the outcome of the twin paradox in a new version?

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    Paradox Twin paradox
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the twin paradox, specifically examining two scenarios involving twins in spacecraft traveling at 100 km/s. In the first scenario, one twin accelerates to 100 km/s and later decelerates to meet the other twin, resulting in less elapsed time for the accelerated twin. The second scenario involves both twins initially traveling together, with one accelerating later, leading to a question about the time difference on their clocks when they reunite. The conclusion emphasizes that the twin who experienced acceleration first will have aged less than the twin who remained in an inertial frame longer.

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  • Understanding of special relativity principles
  • Familiarity with inertial and non-inertial reference frames
  • Basic knowledge of time dilation effects due to velocity
  • Concept of gravitational potential and its impact on time (though not the focus here)
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  • Study the implications of acceleration on time dilation in special relativity
  • Explore the concept of inertial frames and their significance in relativistic physics
  • Investigate the mathematical formulation of the twin paradox using Lorentz transformations
  • Examine real-world applications of time dilation, such as GPS satellite technology
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Students and enthusiasts of physics, particularly those interested in relativity, time dilation, and the implications of acceleration on time perception.

Agerhell
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We think of two very similar scenarios:

1. Two twins are hoovering with their spacecraft s at an earthlike distance A from the Sun and with no velocity with respect to the Sun. Then one of the twins suddenly accelerates to 100 km per second in some direction. He is now the accelerated twin. After a while when he reaches a Plutolike distance from the Sun B the accelerated twin stops so the two twins are at rest with respect to each other. Then both takes off at 100 km/s and meets in the middle and stops and compare their clocks. They agree that less time have elapsed for the twin that has been traveling at an accelerated speed for a longer period of time.

2. Two twins are flying their spacecraft s in parallel just next to each other at 100 km/s with respect to the Sun. Suddenly, at an earthlike distance A from the Sun, one of the twins accelerates by 100 km/s so that he now is at rest in relation to the Sun . He is now the accelerated twin. The other twin happily flies on at constant velocity in his inertial reference frame until he reaches a Plutolike distance from the sun B where he suddenly accelerates by 100 km/s in the same direction that his twin accelerated. The two twins are now at rest with respect to each other and the Sun. Then both takes off at 100 km/s and meets in the middle and stops and compare their clocks. Now what will their clocks show? Will the clock of the twin that did not accelerate until he reached B show more or less elapsed time than his twin that started off by accelerating?

We ignore the fact that thet have spent time at different gravitational potential and care only of the effect of velocity on time.
 
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Oops, should have been posted in the relativity forum...
 

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