Twin Paradox: Earth-Twin vs Space-Twin Aging

Relativity/SR/Rocket/rocket.htmlIn summary, the twin paradox refers to the fact that if one twin travels on a rocket at high speed for a period of time and then returns to Earth, the Earth-bound twin would have aged significantly more than the space-bound twin. This paradox arises from the fact that dynamic frames are not equivalent to stationary frames, as the traveling twin experiences acceleration while the Earth-bound twin does not. This topic has been extensively discussed, and more information can be found by searching for "twin" on the forums or reading articles on the subject.
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bino
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The Twin Paradox: If a twin on a rocket travels at high speed for a while, and then returns to the Earth, the Earth-twin would have aged much more than the space-twin. But isn't it just as valid to say that the Earth is moving away from the rocket? Then the situation would be switched. Why would the astronaut return to find the Earth-twin aged far more, and not the Earth-twin find the astronaut aged much more?
 
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  • #2
This topic has been discussed ad nauseam.

Search the forums for "twin" to see the many threads on this topic: https://www.physicsforums.com/search.php?searchid=372102
 
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  • #3
The simple answer is that dynamic frames are in general not equivalent - the stay at home twin remains in one inertial frame (no accelerations are involved). The traveler experiences acceleration when he starts, and depending upon the version of the problem, he will experience either acceleration or a change of frames upon turning around.
 

FAQ: Twin Paradox: Earth-Twin vs Space-Twin Aging

1. What is the Twin Paradox?

The Twin Paradox, also known as the Twin Time Dilation or Clock Paradox, is a thought experiment in special relativity that explores the concept of time dilation. It involves two twins, one who stays on Earth and the other who travels through space at high speeds. When the space twin returns to Earth, they find that they have aged much less than the Earth twin.

2. How does the Twin Paradox work?

The Twin Paradox is based on the principle of time dilation, which states that time moves slower for objects in motion compared to stationary objects. In this scenario, the space twin travels at high speeds, approaching the speed of light, while the Earth twin remains stationary. This difference in velocity causes the space twin to experience time at a slower rate, resulting in less aging when they return to Earth.

3. Is the Twin Paradox a real phenomenon?

Despite its name, the Twin Paradox is not an actual paradox. It is a well-established phenomenon in physics that has been demonstrated through experiments and observations. The effects of time dilation have been confirmed through various experiments, such as the famous Hafele-Keating experiment, which involved atomic clocks on airplanes traveling at different speeds.

4. Can the Twin Paradox be applied in real-life situations?

While the Twin Paradox is a concept that can be demonstrated through experiments, it is not applicable in practical situations. This is because it requires one twin to travel at near-light speeds, which is not currently possible with our technology. Additionally, the effects of time dilation are only noticeable at extremely high speeds or with significant differences in velocity.

5. Are there any other factors that can influence the Twin Paradox?

In addition to velocity, there are other factors that can affect the Twin Paradox, such as acceleration and gravitational forces. Acceleration can cause time dilation, as seen in the twin paradox, but it can also have an impact on aging even without a difference in velocity. Gravitational forces can also affect the passage of time, as predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity.

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