rad802
Member
since 04-19-2008
Posts 229
KY U.S.A.
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0 posted 08-09-2009 11:04 AM
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Einstein thought experiment
Lets imagine that we are on a trolley car. Behind us is a large clock tower.
All the the hands on the clock have just reached 12:00. If we think of this image as a single frame of film moving at the speed of light and the trolley car takes off at the speed of light the moment the clock strikes 12:00, when we look back, the clock will always show 12:00 If we could speed up, (which I doubt) then you would see the clock move backward. If we slow down, the next frame of film and then another would overtake our position. If we are still close to the speed of light, the clock would appear to be running very slowly.
Also: as we approach the speed of light, length in the direction of travel shortens, and at the speed of light, collapses to zero, and everything you see is in front of you, like tunnel vision, behind you it would be black.
If you headed for the nearest star some 4 light years away at the speed of light, you would perceive the journey to be instantaneous.
In the twin astronaut paradox, the twin who travels to the nearest star ages more slowly than the twin who remains at home. This is because the astronaut undergoes acceleration. Acceleration like gravity slows time. If you were in an elevator, you would not be able to tell if you were accelerating in zero G's or in a gravity field.
A worthy legacy is the irrevocable consequence of dreaming.
Rick A. Delmonico
[This message has been edited by rad802 (08-09-2009 12:57 PM).]
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I admire your deep thinking.