The speed of the ship determines both gamma and the length of the diagonal path. (They are all connected.)NoahsArk said:The longer the voyage is that the ship goes on, the longer the diagonal path will be. But the length of the journey is not affecting gamma, only the speed of the ship is?
Time dilation is a phenomenon predicted by Einstein's theory of relativity, which states that time is relative and can be affected by factors such as gravity and velocity. This means that the rate at which time passes can differ for two observers in different frames of reference. However, according to the theory, time dilation affects all clocks equally, regardless of their size, shape, or composition.
It is important because it allows for a consistent and universal understanding of time. If time dilation affected different clocks differently, it would be impossible to accurately measure time and coordinate events between different frames of reference. This would greatly hinder our ability to understand and navigate the world around us.
Time dilation can be caused by two main factors: gravity and velocity. In the presence of a strong gravitational field, time appears to slow down. This is known as gravitational time dilation. Similarly, when an object moves at high speeds, time appears to slow down for that object relative to a stationary observer. This is known as velocity time dilation.
Although the effects of time dilation are only noticeable at extremely high speeds or in strong gravitational fields, they are still important to our daily lives. GPS satellites, for example, have to account for the time dilation caused by their high speeds in order to accurately calculate location data. Additionally, our understanding of time and space would be greatly limited without the concept of time dilation.
Yes, time dilation has been proven through numerous experiments and observations, including the famous Hafele-Keating experiment in 1971. This phenomenon is also an integral part of Einstein's theory of relativity, which has been extensively tested and confirmed through various experiments and observations. Therefore, there is strong scientific evidence to support the existence of time dilation.