Time dilation - what is it anyway?
Before we explain the time dilation, you need to know two things: 1. no object can be faster than light. 2. Light has always the same speed, namely, 299792458 meters per second. You don't need to understand the time dilation. We explain it using the example of a so-called "Clock": it is a fictitious clock, at the light between two Mirrors back and forth is reflected and a fixed to the bar.
- In our thought experiment is one of these watches are mounted in a space ship that is moving relative to us with any velocity (V), hence V = 0. This space ship to another space ship flies by now, with Clock, with a speed (relative to the observer) is close to the speed of light, for example, V = 0,99 ⋅ c.
- Now you need to be a little creative: imagine the light as a small dot. In the case of space ship that is not moving, can walk on back to the light is completely vertical from top to bottom and back again. A route corresponds to the distance of the mirror. Since the second space ship moves, run the light on a diagonal to catch up to the flying ship. Here, the light has to cope with a longer path, because the speed of light c is always the same.
- This phenomenon can, however, also to other physical processes. The faster the System moves relative to the observer, so the faster the relative speed is, the slower the other System is the observer, and Vice versa.
- This time can also be used with a simple formula to calculate. Here, the formula ∆t is used' = ∆t : √(1 - V2 : c2). Note, however, the point-to-line account.
- In addition to the normal time dilation, there is still gravitational time dilation in Einstein's General theory of relativity occurs. The time passes in the vicinity of a strong gravitational field, and consequently, in the vicinity of strong curvature of space is slower. In contrast to the normal time dilation, sees an observer in the gravitational field above, the time of the under the observer more slowly while the lower observer sees the time of the Other faster.
Time dilation - What is it?
In the next tip we will explain how quantum computers work.
