Asked in ETEA MDCAT 2006 2006Moderate

As compared to a stationary clock, a moving dock clicks: rate as stationary clicks

Correct answer: A. Slower

  • A. Slower
  • B. Faster
  • C. Same
  • D. Clicks negative time

Explanation

According to Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, Time for a moving reference frame actually slows down compared to a "stationary" observer. This works in principle no matter what kind of clock is used, e.g., a wrist watch, crystal oscillator, atomic clock, an hourglass filled with sand, or even a clock made from bouncing light in a mirror setup (which served as Einstein's original thought experiment). All of this is possible because time itself slows, regardless of how it is measured. According to Einstein's theory, the amount that time slows is more pronounced the faster an object travels through space (especially as its velocity gets closer to the speed of light); however, at typical speeds encountered in our everyday lives, there is essentially no change in time due to Relativity. For clocks that move at a constant speed, the time change (time dilation) is constant, whereas when clocks are being accelerated (whether linearly or in a gravitational field), the amount of time dilation is governed by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. Both Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity and General Theory of Relativity have been confirmed in every single experiment performed (within the margins of error), except they aren't compatible with Quantum Mechanics.

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