Re: Help a layman with a paradox

From: beda pietanza (beda-pietanza_at_libero.it)
Date: 02/02/05 

Date: 2 Feb 2005 02:46:51 -0800

roninfromde@yahoo.com wrote:
> I hope someone can help me understand this by explaining it without a
> lot of advanced math:
>
> Motion in space is relative, so if I move away from you, it is not
> possible to tell if I am accelerating away or decelerating. Or if I
> move towards you, it is the same as if you were 'moving' towards me.
> But I always hear that the faster something goes, the more massive it
> becomes as it approaches the speed of light. Why wouldn't the thing
> I'm moving away from increase in mass? Or everything in the universe
> for that matter? If I think I'm moving away at 99.9999% of c, but I'm
> actually slowing down and you are moving away from me at that speed,
> who increases in mass?
>
> While we're at it, help me with the twin paradox of one twin on a
> spaceship leaving earth at near c, then returning. Why is only one
twin
> older if motion is relative?
> I hope I explained these well, and I would appreciate your help.

You started the post with a already biased statement: " motion in
space is relative"

I suggest you to leave the question open :

a)If we assume there is a absolute Space then motion in space is
absolute.

a)If we assume there is not a absolute Space then the motion in space
is relative.

Keeping the two visions as two different ways of looking at things
enable you to appreciate the contributions that two different
perspectives, in the analyzing a problem, can give you.

Since, even in the absolute vision, the definition of the absolute
values of speed, mass, energy, or whatever, needs a reference to be
compared : the absolute is, in the end, relative to what, with more or
less ability and precision, we decide to be the absolute Space of
reference.

In the other hand, the relativistic vision is also bounded to copy with
the absolute, when instead of using as a reference a single objec, we
use a large number of objects: enlarging the cluster of objects versus
which our relatives are measured, we approach to a form of absolute
when the cluster of objects is the totality of the objects of the
universe.

Hope the above helps.

As far as the twins goes, I can shortly say:

In a relativistic vision each twin, closed in a local box-frame without
looking outside, cannot tell the rate of his own aging but can only
tell that the other twin is aging at a slower rate and this is
reciprocally true for the other twin also. (this requires a
conventional peculiar arrangement of the local clocks in both twins
frame: Esynchro) .
Important note: though entangled in a definite slowing rate reciprocity
the aging rate of the each twin is indefinite.

In a absolute vision, given a (hoping correct) absolute spatial
reference each twin is aware of his absolute speed and of the absolute
speed of the other twin (the relative comes along). In this case the
different aging rates are evident and are related to the absolute speed
of each twin (this requires a peculiar arrangement of the local clocks
in accordance of the absolute speed of each twin frame).
Important note : the aging of each twin is absolute and completely
independent of the aging of the other.

Hoping this also helps, just remember keep the two visions: if you will
proceed correctly the two vision will converge in a unitary vision in
the end.

Best regards

Beda pietanza

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Help a layman with a paradox
    ... >> Motion in space is relative, so if I move away from you, it is not ... help me with the twin paradox of one twin on a ... > a)If we assume there is a absolute Space then motion in space is ... c)If we assume the HIS approach to Relativity, ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: SR-ians lost without absolute background
    ... To know which twin ages less, SR-ians sputter, we look ... absolute, just as it is in Newtonian mechanics. ... of relativity of acceleration, which is taken up in GR! ... is that all inertial frames share the same light cones at all ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: The absolute aging of the twins
    ... >> A twin travelling must be aging at a absolute rate regardless of the ... >> absolute speed of the other twin. ... >> So we can say that of the two twins moving inertially, ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • OBarr: How does SR compare with LET?
    ... How does SR compare with LET? ... and twin A remains ... And thus, on the absolute ... reference frame math. ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: Moving Through Space or Only Relative?
    ... Mark Martin wrote: ... then you are proposing absolute space. ... Since speed contracts space for an observer ... Absolutes define relatives not the other way around. ...
    (sci.physics)
Quantcast