B What speed and direction are we actually traveling?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Amazingly Andrew
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Direction Speed
Click For Summary
Traveling at half the speed of light would allow for time dilation, but the effect would be minimal, resulting in only about 1.5 years of difference in aging over a 10-year flight. The Earth’s motion is relative, with no absolute speed or direction in the universe, meaning that the direction of travel is not crucial for achieving time dilation. The concept of relative motion is central, as all speeds are measured against chosen reference points, and changing reference frames through acceleration creates an asymmetry in aging. If one were to turn around and return to Earth, they would experience differential aging compared to those who remained on Earth. Understanding these principles is essential for grasping the implications of traveling through space at relativistic speeds.
  • #61
Thread will remain closed for now. Here is a helpful comment in the Mentor discussion about this poster and this thread:
Looking at his diagram, this is a basic relativity of simultaneity misunderstanding -(light signals from the common source in the center reach the detectors at the same time only in the frame in which the two detectors and the emitter are at rest) with a generous admixture of invalid clock synchronization assumptions.

I'd started a reply but am inclined to think that one of the earlier answers is better: read Taylor and Wheeler or equivalent, come back if you get stuck somewhere and we can help you over the hard spot.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Replies
53
Views
1K
  • · Replies 65 ·
3
Replies
65
Views
11K
  • · Replies 93 ·
4
Replies
93
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
29
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K