Time Dilation, Clocks, & Gravity

In summary: The speed of light is the same in all inertial reference frames, but the speed of sound is not. In moving frames, the time elapsed between the two ticks T1and T2 are measured by the two synchronized clocks kept at two different places x'1 and x'2. The information that the rest clock has ticked first time reaches to the clock at x'1 at some time say t'1 and the information that the rest clock has ticked the second time reaches to the clock at x'2 at some time say t'2. The information reaches in such a way that t'2 - t'1> t2 -t1. If the information can
  • #1
Pushoam
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In the rest frame , the measured time interval is the time elapsed between the two ticks (so two events T1and T2) of one clock.
In moving frame,the time elapsed between the two ticks T1and T2 are measured by the two synchronized clocks kept at two different places x'1 and x'2.
The information that the rest clock has ticked first time reaches to the clock at x'1 at some time say t'1 and the information that the rest clock has ticked the second time reaches to the clock at x'2 at some time say t'2.
The information reaches in such a way that t'2 - t'1> t2 -t1.
If the information can travel with infinite speed , there will be no time - dilation.

But in this case , for different kinds of clocks e.g. sound and light clock, time dilation should be different.
So, this reasoning is wrong.
Should I simply take it for granted that time - dilation is property of space - time?
 

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  • #2
The only reason to imagine time dilation was all the experiments that measured the speed of light as the same no matter what inertial reference frame the measurement instruments were in. That is why the time dilation is tied to the speed of light. The same can not be said about the speed of sound. The argument for time dilation must reference the constant speed of light or it is flawed. Just talking vaguely about "information" is not enough.
 
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  • #3
The phrase "speed of light" refers to the speed, not the light. This speed is the fastest speed possible because it's the speed that's the same in all inertial reference frames. Thus information cannot travel faster than this speed, and that is the crux of this argument. It has nothing to do with the fact that light happens to have this speed. If we were to discover that light travels slower than this speed it woud change nothing in the theory. We'd just refer to ##c## as the invariant speed rather than the speed of light, as many people already do so as to avoid these types of misunderstandings.
 
  • #4
Mister T said:
The phrase "speed of light" refers to the speed, not the light. This speed is the fastest speed possible because it's the speed that's the same in all inertial reference frames. Thus information cannot travel faster than this speed, and that is the crux of this argument. It has nothing to do with the fact that light happens to have this speed. If we were to discover that light travels slower than this speed it woud change nothing in the theory. We'd just refer to ##c## as the invariant speed rather than the speed of light, as many people already do so as to avoid these types of misunderstandings.
Good point. Light was the focus of the experiments, but it was not specifically essential to the theory. But neither was "information". The OP puts too much reliance on information speed regardless of means of transmission. Comparing information transmitted electromagnetically with information transmitted by sound is very wrong for understanding SR.
 

FAQ: Time Dilation, Clocks, & Gravity

What is time dilation?

Time dilation is a phenomenon in which the passage of time is perceived differently for an object or observer moving at different speeds or in different gravitational fields. This means that time can pass at a slower or faster rate depending on the relative motion or gravitational field.

How does time dilation affect clocks?

Time dilation can cause clocks to run at different rates depending on their relative motion or gravitational fields. For example, a clock on a spacecraft traveling at high speeds will run slower compared to a clock on Earth. Similarly, a clock in a strong gravitational field, such as near a black hole, will also run slower compared to a clock in a weaker gravitational field.

What is the relationship between time dilation and gravity?

Time dilation and gravity are closely related as both are affected by the curvature of space-time. In other words, the stronger the gravitational field, the more time dilation will occur. This was famously demonstrated by Einstein's theory of general relativity.

Can time dilation be observed in everyday life?

Yes, time dilation can be observed in everyday life, although the effects are usually very small. For example, the GPS satellites in orbit experience time dilation due to their high speeds, which must be accounted for in order for accurate location data to be provided.

Is time travel possible through time dilation?

While time dilation does allow for differences in the passage of time, it does not allow for time travel in the traditional sense. The effects of time dilation are only noticeable on a very small scale and would not allow for someone to travel back or forward in time significantly. However, some theories suggest that time dilation could potentially be used to travel into the future by traveling at extremely high speeds or through strong gravitational fields.

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