Quote:
Originally posted by RK
What was the difference? Minutes or milliseconds?
Is this a theory or it has actually been done?
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a better/more illustrative mind experiment (based on the same theory - relativity) is called the Twin Paradox:
There are two exact twins. one becomes an astronaut, the other is a civilian. we get to the point with technology where we can build a spaceship that can travel at a speed pretty close to the speed of light (something that should definitely occur eventually).
they plan to launch such a space craft with the twin. after launch, the ship circles the earth for a year - but it is a year
relative to those in the ship. the faster you move, the slower time moves forward (relative to those moving slower than you ie those on earth). however, it is unnoticable unless you are moving incredibly quickly, relative to others.
in a spaceship that approaches the speed of light, times slows down BigTime. infact, if you could reach the speed of light, time would no long move forward of all (but of course it is impossible to move at the speed of light (unless you want to get into some very strange theories)).
anyway, nearing the speed of light as they travel around earth, then ride for a year (meaning a year on the ship) - back on earth, many years will pass. the exact amount depends on the speed of the ship, and of course it has to be moving very close to the speed of light.
when they come back, one twin will have aged a year. the other will have aged many. i could have tried to explain this better if i was sober :)