What Is Time Dilation and How Does It Affect Travel at the Speed of Light?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of time dilation as it relates to traveling at the speed of light, particularly in the context of a hypothetical journey to a diamond planet 40 light years away. Participants conclude that while light takes 80 years for a round trip, a traveler moving at 99.9% of the speed of light would experience significantly less time, approximately 1 year and 9.5 months, due to relativistic effects. The gamma factor, derived from Einstein's theory of relativity, plays a crucial role in calculating the time experienced by the traveler compared to that on Earth.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's theory of relativity
  • Familiarity with the concept of time dilation
  • Basic knowledge of the gamma factor in physics
  • Awareness of the implications of traveling close to the speed of light
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Einstein's theory of relativity in detail
  • Learn about the gamma factor and its applications in time dilation calculations
  • Explore the implications of traveling at relativistic speeds on human physiology
  • Research the properties and characteristics of exoplanets, particularly diamond planets
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Physics enthusiasts, students studying relativity, science fiction writers, and anyone interested in the implications of high-speed space travel.

Waxb18
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Hello all...

I am by no means a physicist and neither are my colleagues, however at time we find ourselves discussing the the most bizarre subjects ranging from do we really exist to would it one day be possible to upload out conciousness to a computer and live eternally.

Todays subject is traveling at the speed of light and we're all stumped...

As you may or may not have heard scientists have discovered a planet 40 light years away made from diamonds :eek:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/astronomers-diamond-planet-180659708.html

the Question we have, is if we traveled at the speed of light in a straight line to get to this planet, loaded up a pocketful of diamonds and traveled back in a straight line,

How long would have passed on earth?
and how long would have passed on our ship?

Please note we're not physicists but Business Analysts
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Waxb18 said:
Hello all...

I am by no means a physicist and neither are my colleagues, however at time we find ourselves discussing the the most bizarre subjects ranging from do we really exist to would it one day be possible to upload out conciousness to a computer and live eternally.

Todays subject is traveling at the speed of light and we're all stumped...

As you may or may not have heard scientists have discovered a planet 40 light years away made from diamonds :eek:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/astronomers-diamond-planet-180659708.html

the Question we have, is if we traveled at the speed of light in a straight line to get to this planet, loaded up a pocketful of diamonds and traveled back in a straight line,

How long would have passed on earth?
and how long would have passed on our ship?

Please note we're not physicists but Business Analysts
Since the planet is 40 light years away, it would take light 40 years to get there and another 40 years to get back for a total of 80 years.

However, you cannot travel at the speed of light so the answer for you is that it would take you just over 80 years to make the round trip so if you leave now you could get back by the end of 2092. The good news is that you won't age hardly at all during the trip although who knows what this world will be like in 2092, maybe a pocketful of diamonds will be worthless.
 
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right...ill get packing my bags
 
Better pack a jack hammer. It sounds like the diamonds there might be too big to fit into your pocket.
 
Also, be forewarned, at the temperature of the planet, all the carbon in your body might just be turned into diamond when you get there.
 
A photon travels at the speed of light. Anything traveling at the speed of light doesn't really experience the passage of time, even though it moves through space and time.

That also means it's not a realistic thing to ask about going to another planet at the speed of light. It's not just impractical--the theory makes it impossible. You can get close to the speed of light, and the time it takes will depend on just how close you get. I wasn't able to find any references on this specific problem, but doing some napkin math, here's a basic idea regarding the result I get:

Example: you travel to the diamond planet at 99.9% of the speed of light. According to Earth, the time it takes you is 40 years / .999 = about 40 years and 15 days. However, according to you, the time it takes you to travel this time is about 1 year and 9.5 months.
 
Sorry but i never got the opportunity to study napkin math...

Can you explain where you get 1 year 9.5 months from?
 
You take the time it would take according to Earth and divide out a factor called \gamma=(1-.999^2)^{-1/2} \approx 22 or so. Can't remember the exact value off the top of my head. This gamma factor shows up a lot in relativity.
 
ghwellsjr said:
Also, be forewarned, at the temperature of the planet, all the carbon in your body might just be turned into diamond when you get there.

lol,

I foresee a superhero...Note this service is available on Earth now. No longer just an urn of ashes, now you can get a diamond.

now I am wondering how many karats I would be.
 
  • #10
Muphrid said:
Anything traveling at the speed of light doesn't really experience the passage of time, even though it moves through space and time.

Have we ever seen light move through space?
 
  • #11
Not sure what you're asking. Light has a speed, so yes, it moves through space. Since I'm not sure what you mean, what makes you uncertain?
 
  • #12
Muphrid said:
Not sure what you're asking. Light has a speed, so yes, it moves through space. Since I'm not sure what you mean, what makes you uncertain?

ohh through space... not in space.
 

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