Does Gravitational Time Dilation imply mass change?

In summary, Einstein's Gravitational Time Dilation states that an oscillating physical system at height H above the Earth will oscillate at a higher frequency than the same system at ground level. This is due to Planck's relation between energy and frequency, which means that the oscillator at height H has more energy and therefore, more mass according to the equation E=mc^2. However, it is important to note that mass and energy are not interchangeable, despite the equation, and it is not accurate to use them interchangeably.
  • #1
johne1618
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According to Einstein's Gravitational Time Dilation, if an oscillating physical system is elevated to a height H above the Earth then in oscillates at a higher frequency than the same system at ground level.

According to Planck's relation between Energy and frequency this must mean that the oscillator at height H must have more energy, and thus by E=mc^2, must have more mass than the identical oscillator at ground level.

Is this true?
 
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  • #2
johne1618 said:
According to Einstein's Gravitational Time Dilation, if an oscillating physical system is elevated to a height H above the Earth then in oscillates at a higher frequency than the same system at ground level.

According to Planck's relation between Energy and frequency this must mean that the oscillator at height H must have more energy, and thus by E=mc^2, must have more mass than the identical oscillator at ground level.

Is this true?

That "m" is the rest mass.

I'm not sure why you need to invoke GR in this case. Why not also look at an atom in an excited state? Is the fact that an excited atom has more energy means that it has more "mass"?

Mass is not energy, and energy is not mass (there are already tons of threads on this issue on here). That Einstein equation is a conversion formula of going from one to the other. Why physicists are known to use mass-energy interchangeably, the general public has no such ability since they are often ignorant of what goes on under the covers.

Zz.
 

Related to Does Gravitational Time Dilation imply mass change?

1. What is gravitational time dilation?

Gravitational time dilation is a phenomenon where time appears to pass slower in regions with stronger gravitational fields. This is predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity.

2. How does gravitational time dilation relate to mass change?

Gravitational time dilation does not directly imply a change in mass. However, it is often explained using the concept of mass-energy equivalence, where the mass of an object can affect its gravitational field and thus its experience of time.

3. Is gravitational time dilation a proven concept?

Yes, gravitational time dilation has been observed and verified in various experiments and observations, such as with atomic clocks and the gravitational redshift effect.

4. Does the strength of gravitational time dilation depend on the mass of an object?

The strength of gravitational time dilation depends on the mass and distance of the object creating the gravitational field. The stronger the field, the greater the time dilation effect will be.

5. Can gravitational time dilation affect the aging process?

Yes, gravitational time dilation can affect the aging process. For example, an object closer to a massive body will experience time passing slower, which means it will age slower compared to an object in a weaker gravitational field. This effect is very small for everyday situations, but it becomes significant in extreme cases such as near a black hole.

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