Quote:
Originally Posted by sjastro
This is not even original, it's simply the twin paradox.
The moving clock will run slower.
The key to the problem is that the moving clock needs to be returned to it's original position in space (not space time) in order to compare the times elapsed on each clock. This destroys the symmetry aspect of the paradox.
The stationary clock's world line "moves" along a straight line in space time (along the t-axis), the moving clock moves along an oblique worldline (including the t and x axis) but inside the light cone of space time.
Here is the full explanation involving Minkowski space time diagrams.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_paradox
Regards
Steven |
Another way to think about it is that one clock must be under an acceleration (either + or -). This breakes the symmetry.
If both clocks experience the same accelerations then the symmetry between them remains.