What is twin paradox in the special theory of relativity How is it explained?
In physics, the twin paradox is a thought experiment in special relativity involving identical twins, one of whom makes a journey into space in a high-speed rocket and returns home to find that the twin who remained on Earth has aged more. In both views there is no symmetry between the spacetime paths of the twins.
Can special relativity handle acceleration?
Special relativity treats accelerating frames differently from inertial frames, but can still deal with accelerating frames. And accelerating objects can be dealt with without even calling upon accelerating frames. Velocities are relative but acceleration is treated as absolute.
Which form of relativity applies for observers who are accelerating?
special relativity
Acceleration (special relativity)
What is acceleration in general relativity?
In relativity theory, proper acceleration is the physical acceleration (i.e., measurable acceleration as by an accelerometer) experienced by an object. It is thus acceleration relative to a free-fall, or inertial, observer who is momentarily at rest relative to the object being measured.
Does the special theory of relativity allow you to go on a trip and return older than your father?
Yes, due to the theory of relativity, the ship would move close to the speed of light, causing time dilation which would make time on the spacecraft move slower compared to that on Earth. However, earth’s age would have passed as many light years as the journey.
What is the paradox of special relativity?
The “paradox”: Special relativity says that physics is the same in reference frames that move at a uniform velocity relative to one another. Observers in any two frames moving relative to one another should not be able to make any observation that indicates which one is “actually” in motion.
What is the twin paradox and why does it matter?
The Twin Paradox comes from taking the following true statements that arise from Special Relativity. All observers moving at constant velocities are justified in considering themselves stationary and the rest of the Universe moving.
Do accelerations explain the acceleration paradox?
While the result is correct, the explanation is misleading. Because of these types of incomplete explanations, to many partially informed people, the accelerations appear to be the issue. Therefore, it is believed that the general theory of relativity is required to explain the paradox.
Is the twin paradox a time machine?
Paul Davies’s recent article “How to Build a Time Machine” has rekindled interest in the Twin Paradox, arguably the most famous thought experiment in relativity theory. In this supposed paradox, one of two twins travels at near the speed of light to a distant star and returns to the earth.