## Time Dilation Question on Special Relativity

This is a Time Dilation Question asked by Nick Percival to Robert Kemp

Q1) Time Dilation: What is the physics meaning of SR’s time dilation equation?

Does it describe physical, asymmetric effects?

If yes, does it mean that clocks traveling with a relative velocity will accumulate proper time at different rates?

If yes, does that mean that time itself is affected by relative velocity?

OR

Does it say that two observers in different inertial frames will JUST observe the other’s clock to be running slow with no attendant physical effects similar to when two twins separate and each observes the other to “shrink” whereas no physical effects occur?

“Time Dilation” in Special Relativity (SR) is different than “Time Dilation” in General Relativity (GR).

Time Dilation in Special Relativity (SR) operates under the guidelines that there is no “Gravitational Field” present, or that there are no Gravitational influences affecting the frame of reference, time, motion, and mass of an object at rest or in uniform motion.

General Relativity is just the opposite. It assumes that there is a “Gravitational Field” present, and that there are Gravitational influences that affect the frame of reference, time, motion, and mass of an object at rest or in uniform motion.

Q)   Does it describe physical, asymmetric effects?

I am not sure that I would use the word asymmetry, that word could be confusing to some. But “Yes” it is argued that moving clocks “physically” slow down. Whether you describe that as symmetry or asymmetry is another question.

Q)   If yes, does it mean that clocks traveling with a relative velocity will accumulate proper time at different rates?

“Yes.

Also let’s define the frame of reference for our clocks and declare that it is the “Proper Observer” Frame of Reference. The Proper observer assumes that his clocks are ticking at normal rates.

And there is another frame of reference known as the “External Observer” Frame of Reference. And let’s assume that the External Observer is in a frame of reference that is at rest watching the “Proper Observer” move either away from him, or move either toward him.

Now let’s look at the math, without deriving the result. Let’s assume the classical Special Relativity (SR) Time Dilation equation.

*************************************************************************

(Frame of Reference Independent) The isotropic speed of light constant    – $\vec{c_{Light}}$ $\;\;-->\,\frac{m}{s}$

(Frame of Reference Independent) The Center of Mass Velocity for the moving frame    – $\vec{|v|_{CM}}$ $\;\;-->\,\frac{m}{s}$

(Frame of Reference Independent) The Square of the Center of Mass Velocity for the moving frame expressed in three dimensions   –

$\vec{|v|^2_{CM}}\;\;=\;\;{|v|^2_{CM(x)}} \;\;+\;\; {|v|^2_{CM(y)}} \;\;+\;\;{|v|^2_{CM(z)}}$ $\;\;-->\,\frac{m^2}{s^2}$

*************************************************************************

Now, let’s consider the Proper Observer Frame of Reference

The Time for Proper Observer     –   $\Delta{t}$ $\;\;-->\,{s}$

The Time for the External Observer     – $\Delta{t'}$ $\;\;-->\,{s}$

Now, let’s consider the experiment where the “Proper Observer – (S)” Frame of Reference transforms into the “External Observer – (S’)” Frame of Reference ― (S  -> S’)

Special Relativity in Three Dimensions – Lorentz Transformation

From the measuring apparatus of the Proper Observer, he will conclude that time runs normal in his frame, and that the External Observer measures time moving slower or faster depending on the Center of Mass Velocity for the frame  – $\vec{|v|_{CM}}$ .

$\Delta{t'}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\Delta{t}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{{|v|^2_{CM}}}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{s}$

The actual Time measurement in the Proper Observer Frame is this; if you include synchronization or “twin” synchronization.

$\Delta{t'}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\Delta{t}\;\;-\;\; \Delta{\tau_{Sync}}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{{|v|^2_{CM}}}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\Delta{t}\;\;-\;\; [\frac{\vec{|v|_{CM}}\;\;\vec{u_{Frame}}}{c^2_{Light}}]\;\Delta{t}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{{|v|^2_{CM}}}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{s}$

$\Delta{t'}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\Delta{t}\;\;-\;\; [\frac{\vec{|v|_{CM}}}{c^2_{Light}}]\;\;\vec{r}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{{|v|^2_{CM}}}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{s}$

“Proper Observer – (S)” Frame of Reference transforms into the “External Observer – (S’)” Frame of Reference ― (S  ® S’)

Lorentz Transformation (“Fluid Medium” Distance Space) ― “Fluid Medium” ― “Rest Frame”®

$\vec{r'}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\vec{r}\;\;-\;\; {\vec{|v|_{CM}}\;\Delta{t}}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{{|v|^2_{CM}}}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{m}$

Described in Rectangular (x, y, & z) Cartesian Coordinates

$\vec{x'}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\vec{x}\;\;-\;\; {\vec{|v|_{CM(x)}}\;\Delta{t}}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{[ {|v|^2_{CM(x)}} \;\;+\;\; {|v|^2_{CM(y)}} \;\;+\;\;{|v|^2_{CM(z)}}]}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{m}$

$\vec{y'}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\vec{y}\;\;-\;\; {\vec{|v|_{CM(y)}}\;\Delta{t}}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{[ {|v|^2_{CM(x)}} \;\;+\;\; {|v|^2_{CM(y)}} \;\;+\;\;{|v|^2_{CM(z)}}]}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{m}$

$\vec{z'}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\vec{z}\;\;-\;\; {\vec{|v|_{CM(z)}}\;\Delta{t}}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{[ {|v|^2_{CM(x)}} \;\;+\;\; {|v|^2_{CM(y)}} \;\;+\;\;{|v|^2_{CM(z)}}]}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{m}$

Now, let’s consider the External Observer Frame of Reference

The Time for Proper Observer     –   $\Delta{t}$ $\;\;-->\,{s}$

The Time for the External Observer     – $\Delta{t'}$ $\;\;-->\,{s}$

Now, let’s consider the experiment where the “External Observer – (S’)” Frame of Reference transforms into the “Proper Observer – (S)” Frame of Reference ― (S’  -> S)

Special Relativity in Three Dimensions – Lorentz Transformations

From the measuring apparatus of the External Observer, he will conclude that time runs normal in his frame, and that the Proper Observer measures time moving slower or faster depending on the Center of Mass Velocity for the frame  – $\vec{|v|_{CM}}$ .

$\Delta{t}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\Delta{t'}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{{|v|^2_{CM}}}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{s}$

The actual Time measurement in the External Observer Frame is this; if you include synchronization or “twin” synchronization.

$\Delta{t}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\Delta{t'}\;\;+\;\; \Delta{\tau'_{Sync}}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{{|v|^2_{CM}}}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\Delta{t'}\;\;+\;\; [\frac{\vec{|v|_{CM}}\;\;\vec{u'_{Frame}}}{c^2_{Light}}]\;\Delta{t'}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{{|v|^2_{CM}}}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{s}$

$\Delta{t}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\Delta{t'}\;\;+\;\; [\frac{\vec{|v|_{CM}}}{c^2_{Light}}]\;\;\vec{r'}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{{|v|^2_{CM}}}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{s}$

“External Observer – (S’)” Frame of Reference transforms into the “Proper Observer – (S)” Frame of Reference ― (S’  ® S)

Lorentz Transformation (“Fluid Medium” Distance Space) ― “Fluid Medium” ― “Rest Frame”

$\vec{r}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\vec{r'}\;\;+\;\; {\vec{|v|_{CM}}\;\Delta{t'}}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{{|v|^2_{CM}}}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{m}$

Described in Rectangular (x, y, & z) Cartesian Coordinates

$\vec{x}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\vec{x'}\;\;+\;\; {\vec{|v|_{CM(x)}}\;\Delta{t'}}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{[ {|v|^2_{CM(x)}} \;\;+\;\; {|v|^2_{CM(y)}}\;\;+ \;\;{|v|^2_{CM(z)}}]}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{m}$

$\vec{y}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\vec{y'}\;\;+\;\; {\vec{|v|_{CM(y)}}\;\Delta{t'}}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{[ {|v|^2_{CM(x)}} \;\;+\;\; {|v|^2_{CM(y)}}\;\;+ \;\;{|v|^2_{CM(z)}}]}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{m}$

$\vec{z}\;\;=\;\;\frac{\vec{z'}\;\;+\;\; {\vec{|v|_{CM(z)}}\;\Delta{t'}}}{\sqrt{1 \;\;-\;\; \frac{[ {|v|^2_{CM(x)}} \;\;+\;\; {|v|^2_{CM(y)}} \;\;+\;\;{|v|^2_{CM(z)}}]}{{c^2_{Light}}}}}$  $\;\;-->\,{m}$

Q)  Does it say that two observers in different inertial frames will JUST observe the other’s clock to be running slow with no attendant physical effects similar to when two twins separate and each observes the other to “shrink” whereas no physical effects occur?