Age Difference in Space Travel: How Does it Happen?

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In summary, time passed differently for the person who stayed stationary on Earth, relative to the traveler who moved a spatial distance larger than 0.
  • #1
bodhi
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with we travel in space shuttle with speed closer to that of light,when we come back to Earth after few years there is significant difference between our age and people of that of earth.now how does that happen does the cells of human body mutate with the speed different than that of cells on earth?
 
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  • #2
Nothing happens to your cells. You just have traveled a different distance in Minkowski
space-time than your earthbound twin.
 
  • #3
the relative speed that the cells replicate is the same. called a frame. all physics is the same.

compared to the cells for dude on Earth, yea it was seemingly a different speed.

nothing (different) happens to the cells.
 
  • #4
bodhi said:
with we travel in space shuttle with speed closer to that of light,when we come back to Earth after few years there is significant difference between our age and people of that of earth.now how does that happen does the cells of human body mutate with the speed different than that of cells on earth?

The closer you get to the speed of light, relative to someone else, the slower time will pass for you compared to that person. That's it. From your point of view time never passed differently, and in fact, until you slow down, you would think that time was passing slower for the other person.
 
  • #5
It is a PHYSICS problem not a BIOLOGY one. As you travel at speed that approaches light you feel nothing different, but just seeing that surroundings are proceeding fast!

It also has something to do with curvature of space like the same effect from the gravatational field, not your DNA
 
  • #6
bodhi said:
with we travel in space shuttle with speed closer to that of light,when we come back to Earth after few years there is significant difference between our age and people of that of earth.now how does that happen does the cells of human body mutate with the speed different than that of cells on earth?
In relativity when you travel between two events not only the spatial distance can vary but also the total travel time.

So the person who stands still on Earth has maximum travel time but moved a zero spatial distance while the traveler moved a spatial distance larger than 0 and had a travel time less than the maximum.
 
  • #7
Passionflower said:
In relativity when you travel between two events not only the spatial distance can vary but also the total travel time.

So the person who stands still on Earth has maximum travel time but moved a zero spatial distance while the traveler moved a spatial distance larger than 0 and had a travel time less than the maximum.

So you mean the proper time in Minkovsky coordinate system. But I think Lorentz transformation is enough for describing this problem
 
  • #8
Bodhi,

So, are you and expert now?
 

Related to Age Difference in Space Travel: How Does it Happen?

1. How does age difference occur in space travel?

Age difference in space travel occurs due to the effects of time dilation. As an object travels closer to the speed of light, time slows down for that object relative to a stationary observer. This means that the astronauts on a spacecraft will experience time passing slower than those on Earth, resulting in a difference in age when they return.

2. What are the factors that affect age difference in space travel?

The main factor that affects age difference in space travel is the speed of the spacecraft. The closer the spacecraft travels to the speed of light, the greater the time dilation effect. Other factors such as the distance travelled and the gravitational pull of nearby objects can also play a role in age difference.

3. How much of a difference in age can occur in space travel?

The amount of age difference that can occur in space travel depends on the speed of the spacecraft and the duration of the journey. For example, if a spacecraft travels at 99% of the speed of light for one year, the astronauts on board will age approximately 0.14 years less than those on Earth. However, if the spacecraft travels at 90% of the speed of light for 10 years, the age difference can be as much as 2.3 years.

4. What are the potential implications of age difference in space travel?

The potential implications of age difference in space travel are mainly for long-term space missions. Astronauts travelling at high speeds for extended periods of time can experience significant age differences, which can impact their health and ability to perform tasks. This is why scientists and engineers must carefully consider the effects of time dilation when planning for space missions.

5. Can age difference in space travel be reversed?

No, age difference in space travel cannot be reversed. Time dilation is a fundamental principle of relativity and is a natural occurrence in space. However, astronauts can experience a "time reset" when they return to Earth, as their clocks will be synchronized with those on Earth again. However, the age difference that occurred during the journey cannot be reversed.

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