Complete Solution To The Twins Paradox | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In the Twins Paradox, one twin traveling at high speed ages slower than the twin who remains on Earth due to time dilation caused by changing velocity and the rotation of perceived time.

Key Insights

• ⌛ Moving objects experience time more slowly due to time dilation caused by high velocity.
• 😌 The resolution to the Twins Paradox lies in the rotation of perceived time due to changes in velocity.
• ⌛ This rotation of time perception leads to gaps in each twin's calculation of time passed during the journey.
• ⌛ The resolution aligns with the concept of Lorentz Transformations, which explain time dilation and relativistic effects in special relativity.

Transcript

The setup for the twins paradox is as follows – suppose I sit on earth while you head off on a rocketship at a constant speed for a while, then turn around and come back. We know that moving things experience time more slowly, so I'll think that when you get back, you should be younger than me. But from your perspective, the earth (with me on it) i... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Explain the Twins Paradox scenario briefly.

The Twins Paradox involves one twin staying on Earth while the other twin travels in a spaceship at high speed, eventually returning. The paradox arises from the disagreement on who should be younger after the journey.

Q: Why does the traveling twin experience time passing more slowly?

The traveling twin experiences time dilation because of their high velocity. According to special relativity, time passes more slowly for objects in motion relative to an observer at rest.

Q: What is the role of velocity change in the resolution of the paradox?

When the traveling twin changes velocity to return to Earth, their perception of time rotates, causing them to skip over a portion of the other twin's journey time. This accounts for the "missing" time.

Q: Can the resolution to the Twins Paradox be observed in real life?

Yes, experiments have demonstrated the resolution to the paradox. Atomic clocks on airplanes, which experience time dilation due to their speed, recorded less time passed compared to identical clocks on the ground.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Twins Paradox presents a scenario where one twin travels on a spaceship and returns to Earth, while the other twin stays on Earth.

• The traveling twin experiences time passing more slowly due to their high speed, resulting in a younger age compared to the twin on Earth.

• The resolution to the paradox lies in the rotation of time perception caused by the change in velocity during the journey, leading to gaps in each twin's calculation of time passed.