Quote:
Originally Posted by stitt29
Hi
Is the difference the result of atomic decay being variable in differing gravitational fields?
Also if there is a time difference( say between a clock on Earth and one in orbit) if we were to physically move the clocks so they met in the same gravitational field i.e. the surface of the Earth would the clocks right themselves and become synchronous?
|
assume this, you and your friend have identical synchronized atomic clocks. you are on board the satellite with your atomic clock. and you friend is on the ground with his atomic clock. both you and him are staring at each others atomic clock with a telescope.
General Relativity shows that when you look at your friends clock back on earth through your telescope from orbit, his clock is moving slower than yours. He is seeing that your clock is moving faster.
the gravitational field of earth is stronger at your friends location which actually makes the frequency of time move slower. so his clock is ticking away slower than yours.
when you meet up with each other and compare the clocks, you will see that his clock setting is indeed different than your clock. while together at the same location again the clocks are ticking away at the same speed, your clock shows that more time has passed.
in Special Relativity, the difference is due to relative motion. taking the gravitational aspect away, if you are just looking at each others clocks and are not moving relative to each other, the clocks will stay synchronized.
but as the two of you move in relation to each other, you will notice each others clocks slow down as compared to each others.