Time Dilation and

Twin Paradox
Physics 5- Modern Physics | Topic 2
 Session Outline
I. Galilean vs. Lorentz Transformation
II. Time Dilation and Time Dilation Equation
III. Twin Paradox
IV. Drills and Exercises

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 Galilean Transformation

Blue Person’s Perspective Cat’s Perspective

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 Lorentz Transformation

Blue Person’s Perspective Cat’s Perspective

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 Lorentz Factor

The Lorentz factor expresses

how much the measurements of
time, length, and other physical
properties change for an object
while that object is moving. 

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 Two Postulates of Special Relativity

1
2
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 Time Dilation

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 Measuring Time Using Light

A light clock measures time

using photons.
Each “tick” corresponds to a
round trip of the light pulse
from the lower mirror to the
upper one, and back.

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 Object at Rest vs. Object in Motion
Light bouncing from a
moving object travels
longer distance than
light bouncing on an
object at rest. However,
the speed of light
remains THE SAME in
both situations.

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 Time Dilation
becomes longer due to motion

THUS, time has to “change”

so that the speed of light will
remain constant
speed of light
(CONSTANT)

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 Time Dilation

When viewed from the perspective of a moving observer (BLUE), the time interval of
the person holding the clock (RED) became spread out or DILATED.

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 Time Dilation Equation Lorentz Factor

observer
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 Time Dilation
The effects of time
dilation becomes
more evident as the
velocity of the moving
object moves closer to
the speed of light.

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 Twin Paradox
Whose clock will tick slower?

Remember that motion is

relative, depending on the
inertial frame of reference.

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 Twin Paradox

Time dilation can be applied ONLY by observers in an inertial frame of reference. The space
craft ACCELERATES at the start and end of its trip and when it turns around.

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 Solving for t0

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 Solving for v

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 Sample Problem 1
An astronaut is travelling at a constant speed of 2.95 X10^8 m/s
relative to earth through space. According to the time device on
space vehicle, her trip lasted 0.500 years. How long did this trip
last relative to an observer on Earth?

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 Sample Problem 2
An astronaut is travelling at a constant speed of 2.70 X10^8 m/s
relative to earth toward a distant star. If the trip takes 25 years as
measured by an observer on earth, how long does it take relative to
the observer on the space vehicle?

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 Sample Problem 3
You take a trip through space and when you returned to earth, you
have aged 4.0 years. Your friend who remained on earth has aged
11.0 years. How fast was your spaceship travelling on your trip?

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 Drills and Exercises
An astronaut is traveling at a constant speed of
2.40x10^8m/s relative to Earth through space.

1 According to timing devices aboard the space vehicle,

the trip took 1.25 years. How long did the trip take if
measured relative to Earth?

2
An astronaut is travelling at a constant speed of
7.50x10^7m/s through space relative to Earth.
According to timing devices aboard the space
vehicle the trip lasted 3.00 years. How long did the
trip take as measured relative to Earth?

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 Drills and Exercises
An astronaut is traveling at a constant speed of
2.80x10^8m/s measured relative to Earth through space.

3 If this trip takes 50.0 years as measured on Earth, how

long does it take relative to the space vehicle?

4
You are traveling through space at a constant speed
while your friend remained on Earth. If you aged
10.0 years and your friend aged 18.0 years, how fast
was your space vehicle traveling through space
relative to Earth?

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That’s it!
What questions do you have?