TIME DILATION

Time is relative; it's only worth depends upon what we do as it is passing.

YUVARAJKING (23501018)

SHANMUGA PRIYA (23501020)

AJAI KUMAR (23501037)

B.A.LLB (Honors)
ABSTRACT

Time dilation is a fundamental prediction of Einstein's theory of

special relativity, which suggests that the passage of time is not the
same for all observers. In this research paper, we explore the
principles and experimental evidence surrounding this
counterintuitive phenomenon.

Crucially, the abstract will introduce the key concepts and scientific
foundations of time dilation. It will discuss how, in the context of
special relativity, the passage of time depends on an observer's
relative velocity with respect to other objects, and how this leads to
the "twin paradox."

The abstract will then delve into the application of time dilation in
paradoxes and films. This will include a discussion of the Global
Positioning System (GPS), which relies on accurate time
measurements performed by satellites orbiting the Earth at high
speeds, along with the technology's reliance on accounting for the
predicted deformation in the satellites' on-board clocks due to
general and special relativistic effects.

Lastly, the abstract will cover the effect of an black hole underlying
concept of time dilation. By providing a balanced view of
theoretical principles, practical applications, and experimental
evidence, the abstract aims to set the stage for more in-depth
exploration of the fascinating phenomenon of time dilation.

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INTRODUCTION

Time dilation is a phenomenon in physics, particularly in the

theory of relativity, where the perception or measurement of time
depends on the relative motion or gravitational field of the
observer or the object being observed. In simpler terms, time can
appear to pass at different rates for different observers or when
they are in different environments. This research paper illustrates
concepts of Time Dilation and paradoxes and its branches in space
research.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Time dilation was first predicted by Albert Einstein in his theory of

special relativity, which was published in 1905. According to special
relativity, time passes more slowly for objects that are moving
relative to an observer. This effect is very small at low speeds, but
it becomes more pronounced as speeds approach the speed of light.

There have been a number of studies that have investigated time

dilation. One of the most famous experiments was conducted by
Alfred Michelson and Edward Morley in 1887. This experiment
attempted to measure the speed of light in different directions, but
it failed to find any evidence of time dilation.

In 1910, Hermann Minkowski developed a mathematical

framework for special relativity that included time dilation.
Minkowski's work helped to clarify the concept of time dilation and
to show how it is related to the other effects of special relativity.

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METHODOLOGY

Data Collection

The authors collected data from a variety of sources, including

scientific journals, books, and websites. The authors used a
snowball sampling technique to identify relevant studies. This
technique involved starting with a few key studies on time dilation
and then using the references in these studies to identify additional
studies.

Data Analysis

The authors analyzed the data by identifying the different concepts

in time dilation and by explaining how they can be observed. The
authors also identified the strengths and limitations of the different
studies.

Limitations

One limitation of this research is that it is only a literature review.

The authors has not conducted any original research on time
dilation.

Another limitation of this research is that it is possible that the

authors may have missed some relevant studies. The authors has
attempted to be comprehensive in their search, but it is always
possible that some studies may have been missed.

Ethical Considerations

This research does not involve any human subjects or animals.

Therefore, there are no ethical considerations to be addressed.

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DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Analysis
Time dilation, in the theory of special relativity, is the “slowing
down” of a clock as determined by an observer who is in relative
motion with respect to that clock. In special relativity, an observer
in inertial (i.e., non accelerating) motion has a well-defined means
of determining which events occur simultaneously with a given
event. A second inertial observer, who is in relative motion with
respect to the first, however, will disagree with the first observer
regarding which events are simultaneous with that given event.
(Neither observer is wrong in this determination; rather, their
disagreement merely reflects the fact that simultaneity is an
observer-dependent notion in special relativity.) A notion of
simultaneity is required in order to make a comparison of the rates
of clocks carried by the two observers. If the first observer’s notion
of simultaneity is used, it is found that the second observer’s clock
runs slower than the first observer’s by a factor of Square root
of√(1 − v2/c2), where v is the relative velocity of the observers and c
equals 299,792 km (186,282 miles) per second—i.e., the speed of
light. Similarly, using the second observer’s notion of simultaneity,
it is found that the first observer’s clock runs slower by the same
factor. Thus, each inertial observer determines that all clocks in
motion relative to that observer run slower than that observer’s
own clock.

TWIN PARADOX

A closely related phenomenon predicted by special relativity is the

so-called twin paradox. Suppose one of two twins carrying a clock
departs on a rocket ship from the other twin, an inertial observer,
at a certain time, and they rejoin at a later time. In accordance with

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the time-dilation effect, the elapsed time on the clock of the twin on
the rocket ship will be smaller than that of the inertial observer
twin—i.e., the non-inertial twin will have aged less than the inertial
observer twin when they rejoin.

TIME DILATION IN INTERSTELLAR

Interstellar's depiction of time dilation on Miller's planet

encompasses complex scientific theories and terms, which require
a detailed explanation.

Cooper and his crew's arrival on Miller's planet is one of the most
pivotal and jarring moments in Interstellar. In pursuit of finding an
exoplanet capable of supporting human life, Cooper and his crew
travel through a mysterious wormhole after setting their eyes on
three planets. Their first destination on this journey is Miller's
planet, an ocean world where explorer Laura Miller was the first to
set a base camp. Hoping that Miller's planet will be capable of
sustaining human life, they make their way to it.

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In Interstellar, Miller and the crew reach their destination and find
three planets orbiting around a supermassive black hole,
Gargantua. While one crew member, Romily, stays in orbit to study
Gargantua's gravity, others head to Miller's planet's surface, hoping
to find answers. Things take a grim turn when not only do they not
only face the threat of giant tidal waves but also experience
extreme time dilation.

Miller's Planet's Time Dilation Is Caused By The Black Hole

‘Gargantua’

The science of Interstellar, including the time dilation on Miller's

planet, is based on the work of Albert Einstein. According to
Einstein's theory of general relativity, mass and energy warp or
"bend" the fabric of space and time. This curving of spacetime is
gravity. Since time is directly affected by gravity, according to
Einstein's theory, the passage of time is relatively different in
regions that experience different gravitational fields. When a
planet is closer to the strong gravitational field of a massive star,

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planet, or black hole, time passes slower compared to an object that
experiences a weaker gravitational pull.

In Interstellar, Miller's planet is close to a supermassive black hole,

Gargantua. Since the black hole creates a massive curvature in
spacetime with its gravitational fields, Miller's planet experiences
extreme time dilation. Because of this time dilation from
Gargantua's gravitational fields, time on Miller's planet moves
relatively slower than Earth's.

Specifically, for every hour on Miller's planet, seven years pass on

Earth for Cooper and his crew. Interstellar reveals that Cooper and
his team spent twenty-three years, four months, and eight days in
Earth time on Miller's planet, suggesting that they were roughly
down there for only three hours and seventeen minutes.

Discussion
Based on the interview with Ms Sarunya, who graduated with a
masters degree in Physics in Sastra University, Tanjore, and is
currently pursuing her doctorate. She talks briefly about Time
Dilation and Space and Gravity.

TIME DILATION AND GRAVITY

Ten years after he postulated special relativity, Einstein expanded

his theory to include gravitational effects in general relativity. But
time dilation in this theory depends not on the speed of travel but
the strength of the local gravitational field. We already live in a
moderate gravitational field on Earth's surface, so it turns out,
we're subject to time dilation without realizing it. Furthermore, the
strength of the effect varies as we move up and down within
Earth's field.

Gravity is slightly weaker on the top floor of a high building than at

ground level, so the time dilation effect is also weaker higher up.

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Time goes faster the farther away you are from Earth's surface.
Even though the effect is too small to detect with human senses, the
time difference between different altitudes can be measured using
extremely accurate clocks.

TIME DILATION AND SPACE

Time dilation is of double relevance to spacecraft, due both to their

high speeds and the changing gravitational fields they experience.
In 2020, a group of students at the University of Leicester in the
U.K. computed the time dilation effects on NASA's Voyager 1 probe
in the 43 years following its launch in 1977. Special relativity
predicted that Voyager has aged 2.2 seconds less than we have on
Earth. But general relativity partially counterbalances this. We
experience stronger gravity than the spacecraft, so in this sense,
the probe has aged around 1 second more than we have.
Combining the two effects, Voyager still turns out to be younger
than Earthlings, but by only about 1.2 seconds.

Calculations like these may seem frivolous, but they can be very
important in situations in which precise timing is critical. In the
case of the GPS satellites used for navigation, for example, timing
errors of just a few nanoseconds (billionths of a second) can lead to
a positioning error of hundreds of meters, which is clearly
unacceptable if you're trying to pinpoint a specific address. To
achieve the desired accuracy, the GPS system has to account for
time dilation, which can amount to 38 microseconds (millionths of
a second) per day, according to Richard W. Pogge, a distinguished
professor of astronomy at The Ohio State University. As in the
Voyager example, both special and general relativity contribute to
this figure, with 45 microseconds coming from gravitational time
dilation and minus 7 microseconds from the speed-related effect.

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, time dilation is a fascinating phenomenon that

demonstrates the interplay between space and time, revealing the
intricate workings of the universe. It has significant implications
for our understanding of physics, whether in the context of special
relativity or general relativity, and has numerous applications in
various fields, such as GPS satellite systems and black hole studies.
As our knowledge of the universe continues to expand, time
dilation will likely remain an active area of research and
discussion, shedding new light on the true nature of space and
time.

REFERENCE

References always play a great part in research papers. This paper

was constructed by various research articles, interviews of great
researchers.

ARTICLES

1. Time Dilation - Kiran Malleshappa

2. Dilation of Time Dilation - Tadeusz Wajda

FILM REFERENCE

1. Interstellar (2014) directed by Christopher Nolan

INTERVIEW

1. Ms Sarunya - Graduated Masters in Physics

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WEBSITES

1. https://www.livescience.com/what-is-time-dilation
2. https://www.britannica.com/science/time-dilation
3. https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/University_Physics/Uni
versity_Physics_(OpenStax)/University_Physics_III_-_Optics_an
d_Modern_Physics_(OpenStax)/05%3A__Relativity/5.04%3A_Ti
me_Dilation
4. https://screenrant.com/interstellar-time-dilation-miller-planed
-explained/

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