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The ‘twin paradox’ in relativistic rigid motion.

Authors :
Uri Ben-Ya’acov
Source :
European Journal of Physics; Sep2016, Vol. 37 Issue 5, p1-1, 1p
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

Relativistic rigid motion suggests a new version for the so-called ‘twin paradox’, comparing the ages of two astronauts on a very long spaceship. Although there is always an instantaneous inertial frame in which the whole spaceship, being rigid, is simultaneously at rest, the twins’ ages, measured as the proper-times along their individual world lines, are different when they are located at remote parts of the spaceship. The age, or proper-time, difference depends on the distance at rest between the astronauts and the rapidity difference between start to end. The relation of the age difference with the relative Doppler shift of light signals transmitted between the astronauts and implications for the possibility to assign a common age (proper-time) to complex, spatially extended, relativistic systems are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
01430807
Volume :
37
Issue :
5
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
European Journal of Physics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
117378944
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/37/5/055601