Gravitational time dilation Definition and 113 Threads
Gravitational time dilation is a form of time dilation, an actual difference of elapsed time between two events as measured by observers situated at varying distances from a gravitating mass. The lower the gravitational potential (the closer the clock is to the source of gravitation), the slower time passes, speeding up as the gravitational potential increases (the clock getting away from the source of gravitation). Albert Einstein originally predicted this effect in his theory of relativity and it has since been confirmed by tests of general relativity.This has been demonstrated by noting that atomic clocks at differing altitudes (and thus different gravitational potential) will eventually show different times. The effects detected in such Earth-bound experiments are extremely small, with differences being measured in nanoseconds. Relative to Earth's age in billions of years, Earth's core is effectively 2.5 years younger than its surface. Demonstrating larger effects would require greater distances from the Earth or a larger gravitational source.
Gravitational time dilation was first described by Albert Einstein in 1907 as a consequence of special relativity in accelerated frames of reference. In general relativity, it is considered to be a difference in the passage of proper time at different positions as described by a metric tensor of space-time. The existence of gravitational time dilation was first confirmed directly by the Pound–Rebka experiment in 1959, and later refined by Gravity Probe A and other experiments.
Is it possible that the very high concentration of mass at the centers of galaxies is causing a significant enough time dilation to explain a non-negligible part of the rotational curve problem? i.e. time is traveling more slowly in the super-massive, black hole rich cores of galaxies and faster...
First of all, (following Einstein's theory of Gravitational Time Dilation (I'll just call it GTD,)) objects (such as us) age slower near strong gravitational fields than in empty space. The higher the local distortion of spacetime due to gravity, the more slowly time passes. So according to GTD...
I seem to recall reading a post a long time ago (that I cannot find) that gravity in the Newtonian limit (eg the Solar system) can be completely explained in terms of gravitational time dilation alone.
In his book, Gravity from the Ground up, Schutz argue that All of Newtonian gravitation is...
I'm looking for a simple physical explanation of gravitational time dilation, so I can provide a brief explanation to interested laypeople (not to mention just to help myself understand better). Does anybody want to take a crack at it? Or am I asking for the impossible?
How would one go about calculating (as a first-order approximation) the gravitational time dilation generated by multiple point sources?
When generated by one point source (M = 1\cdot10^{25}, r = 1, t = 1), I've got it down to:
\tau = t \cdot \sqrt{1 - \frac{2GM}{rc^2}} \approx...
First case, gravity. A clock near sea level on the earth, an identical clock in open space, the clock in open space runs "faster" than the clock on the earth.
Second case, acceleration. A rotating space station applies 1g of centrepital acceleration on a clock, and an identical clock is at...
I am having difficulty understanding the Gravitational Time dilation formula. As per my understanding, clock should run faster as we move away from the gravitational field. But when I am applying the formula, I am getting the opposite result. Please see the attached formula.
As r increases ...
I know there is:
A gravitational length contraction by the factor of \sqrt{1-2GM/rc^2}
A time slowing by the factor of \sqrt{1-2GM/rc^2}
I would have thought the former and latter affect the notions of wavelength and frequency of light respectively, am I not right?
However, then...
Hello,
I am trying to learn about Gravitational Time Dilation. I came across the following formula for time dilation in a uniform gravitational field:
T_d = {1-} \frac{gh}{c^{2}}}
but I cannot find any derivation for this. Can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks
I've been trying to work out something and I've hit a wall of stupid.
Imagine a clock a certain distance r from a large isolated spherically symmetric object of mass M. The rate at which the clock runs compared to the far away time is given by the Schwarzschild relation:
d \tau ^2 = \biggl (1-...
Is there an explanation for gravitational time dilation in string theory? String theorists say their equations can make the same predictions as general relativity, so I would assume string theory predicts gravitational time dilation, but how would that work? If gravity is no longer mediated by...
Hi:
A couple of people on this forum have this formula reduced to a software program.
As an object nears a black hole, and is remotely observed, it appears to slow and hang suspended over the event horizon...time slows in any gravitational field with respect to a remote and less affected...
I have a few questions about time dilation due to gravity. It seems to me there are some strange/interesting consequences of this that I've never seen discussed. I'm not sure what signifigance it has, but it seems like it should have some.
Basically, since gravity is lower on the surface of...