On 21 Jul 2010 at 22:42, wrote:
> Interesting. So the effects of relativity are based on speed
> (relative to a frame of reference), not gravitational force?
Special relativity, yes.
General relativity is where you get into gravity and the like. Clocks
run slower the more space is curved (and since gravity is curvature
of space, that means that the higher the gravity, the slower time
passes).
With modern atomic clocks you can actually *measure* the difference
between the top and bottom of a medium sized building.
> Well, that brings up another question: if gravity distorts time
> measurements, are you under the effects of both that and the speed
> you're moving at (relative to your observer? Or, is that what
> einstine said were actually the same?
You are unaffected by the speed you are moving at. If you are moving
relative to another observer *both* of yopu see the other's clock as
running slower.
And you are both right.
Only if one of you accelerates (changes velocity) does the symmettry
break. Which is how the travelling twin winds up younger whjen he
meets the stay at home twin.
--
Leonard Erickson (aka shadow)
shadow at shadowgard dot com