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Twin Paradox by Gaurav Rawat

The twin paradox in physics proposes that if one twin makes a high-speed journey into space while the other stays on Earth, the traveling twin will age less upon returning. However, from the traveling twin's perspective, it seems the Earth-bound twin should be younger. This leads to a paradox. The resolution is that the traveling twin experiences acceleration during turns, making their frame of reference non-inertial. Special relativity only applies between inertial frames. So there is no symmetry between the twins, resolving the paradox. The document provides a detailed example to illustrate how the paradox is resolved by considering the different frames of reference and accelerations experienced.

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Gaurav Rawat
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78 views7 pages

Twin Paradox by Gaurav Rawat

The twin paradox in physics proposes that if one twin makes a high-speed journey into space while the other stays on Earth, the traveling twin will age less upon returning. However, from the traveling twin's perspective, it seems the Earth-bound twin should be younger. This leads to a paradox. The resolution is that the traveling twin experiences acceleration during turns, making their frame of reference non-inertial. Special relativity only applies between inertial frames. So there is no symmetry between the twins, resolving the paradox. The document provides a detailed example to illustrate how the paradox is resolved by considering the different frames of reference and accelerations experienced.

Uploaded by

Gaurav Rawat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TWIN PARADOX: AND IT’S RESOLUTION

By Gaurav Rawat

1. ABSTRACT:

In Physics , there is a thought experiment named ‘Twin


Paradox’ based on 'theory of relativity’ which says if we
consider there are two identical twins A and B and let say
B makes a round trip of space in a high-speed rocket whose
speed is of order of c and whereas other twin A stays at rest
on Earth , when B came back it noticed that now B is
younger than A. However from the point of view of B , but
as we know motion is always relative so B can consider
himself at rest and A as traveler ,then A should be younger
then B when they meet again [1]. So there a paradox comes
into account known as Twin Paradox.

In fact this confusion arises due to incorrect application of


principle of special theory of relativity, which actually only
applicable on inertial frame of references. This scenerio
can be resolved by realising that travelling twin is
undergoing acceleration which makes him a non-inertial
frame observer. Consequently there is no symmetry
between spacetime paths of the twins so eventually twin
paradox not really a paradox just a sense of logical
contradiction.

2. HISTORICAL APPROACH TO TWIN PARADOX :

In 1905, Albert Einstein deduced that if we synchronised


two clocks and then move one clock away and brought
back ,the clock which was traveling would be found to be
lagging behind the clock which had stayed put [2]. And
considered this as a natural result of special theory of
relativity.

In 1911, Paul Langevin gave a example by describing the


story of a traveler making a trip at a Lorentz factor of
γ=100. The traveler travels in projectile for one year of his
time and then came back . Upon his return journey he has
aged two years , whereas 200 years have passed on Earth
During his journey traveler and Earth keep on sending
signals to each other at a constant rate. The effects of
relativity are used to account for the different rates of
aging . The assymetry comes into account because of
traveler underwent the acceleration when he changed
2
direction to return back [3] and then In 1911-13 Max von
Laue elaborated Langevin’s explanation.

3. RESOLUTION OF TWIN PARADOX :

Let’s illustrate this Paradox with an example. Consider H


and U are twins. Earth and the destination star to be in the
same inertial frame say S. And two other frames S’ and S”
move relative to S at v = 0.8c and v = -0.8v,respectively so
γ = 5/3 in both the cases. U is traveling in a rocket that
accelerates quickly from S to S’,then coasts with S’ to the
star, again accelerates quickly from S’ to S”, coasts with S”
back to Earth , and stops to alongside to his twin H [4].

It is simple to analyse this from H’s point of view on Earth.


Suppose according to H , U coasts in S’ for a time interval
∆t = 5yr and in S” for the same interval of time , thus H is
10 yr older when U returns.The time taken to reach the star
according to U is

∆t’ = ∆t/γ = 5yr×3/5 = 3yr

The same time is required for return trip , so U will have


recorded 6yr for a round trip and will be 4yr younger than
his twin H upon his return.

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Whereas if we consider U at rest and H moving away , H’s
clock should run slow and measure only 3/γ = 1.8 yr , and
it seems that U should expect H to have aged only 3.6 yr
during the round trip this results to a paradox. Both
predictions can’t be right. This a result of assumption that
twin’s situations are symmetric and interchangeable but
they aren’t .

4
H remains in single inertial frame whereas U changes
inertial frames, as shown in figure : (U= Ulysses and H =
Homer).

The correct analysis can be made by using invariant


interval ∆s :

(∆s/c) = (∆t)^2 – (∆x/c)^2

Here LHS is constant equal to (τ)^2, and RHS refers to any


measurements made in any inertial frame. Thus U along
each of his worldlines has ∆x = 0 and of course , measures
∆t = τ = 3yr or 6yr for a round trip , H on other hand
measures :

(∆t)^2 = τ^2 + (∆x/c)^2

And here (∆x/c)^2 is always +ve , he measures ∆t > τ

So ∆x = 0.8∆t =>

(∆t)^2 = (3yr)^2 + (0.8c∆t/c)^2

∆t = 3/0.6 = 5yr

Or 10 yr for a round trip , reason for twin’s situations can’t


be symmetrical because special relativity can predict the

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behaviour of accelerated systems , such as U’s turnaround
provided that inertial frame is considered for formulation
of physical laws , i.e unaccelerated , observer such H. That
we have done thus can not be apply this same thing in rest
frame of U ‘s Rocket because it doesn’t remain always in
inertial frame during the round trip. So U returns younger
than H by just the amount calculated above.

REFERENCES :

[1] : Gron,O and Braeck,S “The twin paradox in a


cosmological context”.

[2] : Einstein, Albert (1905). "On the Electrodynamics of


Moving Bodies". Annalen der Physik. 17 (10): 891 (end of
§4).

[3] : Langevin, Paul (1911). "The Evolution of Space and


Time". Scientia 10: 31–54.

[4] : Tipler,P.A and Llewellyn,R.A “Part 1 : Relativity and


Quantum Mechanics : The Foundation of Modern Physics,
Relativity 1”. Modern Physics:63-65.

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