timpeac said:Hi,
Just out of idle curiosity - why do we talk of "time dilation" in terms of special relativity when in fact it contracts which is the opposite? Is there a reason or is it just accepted usage?
Nabeshin said:What do you mean it contracts? The specific word "dilation" refers to the lengthening of physical processes. i.e in my rest frame a strobe light flashes once per second, but if I put the same strobe light on a spaceship and shoot it off at relativistic velocities, I now see it flashing only once every two seconds. The period of flashing is dilated, not contracted.
Time dilation is a phenomenon in which time appears to pass slower for an object that is traveling at high speeds or in a strong gravitational field. This is a consequence of Einstein's theory of relativity.
Time dilation occurs because of the difference in perception of time between two observers. An observer moving at high speeds relative to another observer will experience time moving slower, while the stationary observer will see time passing normally.
The correct term for time dilation is "time dilation." It is also sometimes referred to as "time stretch," "time warping," or "time slowing." However, "time dilation" is the most commonly used and accepted term.
One example of time dilation is the time difference between a clock on Earth and a clock on a satellite in orbit. The satellite's clock will appear to run slightly faster due to its high speed relative to Earth. Another example is the difference in time experienced by astronauts on the International Space Station compared to people on Earth.
No, time dilation has been proven through numerous experiments and observations, such as the famous Hafele-Keating experiment. It is a well-established concept in physics and is an essential aspect of Einstein's theory of relativity.