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The Paradox of Relativity (Posted on 2006-05-24) Difficulty: 4 of 5
This is a classic thought experiment relating to the Special Theory of Relativity.

Two twins of the same age start on planet Earth. Twin A stays on Earth while twin B travels far, far away and back at near the speed of light.

Because of Special Relativity, A looks at B's clock, and it moves slower than his own. So at the end of B's journey, A is much older than B.

However, B's frame of reference is equally valid. According to B, A's clock is moving slower than his own. So at the end of the journey, B is older than A.

What faulty reasoning leads to this apparent contradiction?

See The Solution Submitted by Tristan    
Rating: 4.3333 (3 votes)

Comments: ( Back to comment list | You must be logged in to post comments.)
How I understand it... | Comment 2 of 10 |
In order for B to travel near the speed of light, every electron in B's body and space ship will be orbiting its respective nucleus more slowly as some of its energy is converted to mass -> momentum; a process requiring exponentially more energy as B's velocity approaches the speed of light.
  Posted by Eric on 2006-05-24 17:25:58
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