Phys. Rev. A 63, 044104 (2001) [4 pages]Twin paradox in compact spaces |
PRL Celebrates 50 Years
This Week's Milestone Letters are from 1973: |
John D. Barrow1 and Janna Levin1,2
1DAMTP, Cambridge University, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom
2The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, South Kensington, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
Received 4 August 2000; published 20 March 2001
Twins traveling at constant relative velocity will each see the other’s time dilate leading to the apparent paradox that each twin believes the other ages more slowly. In a finite space, the twins can both be on inertial, periodic orbits so that they have the opportunity to compare their ages when their paths cross. As we show, they will agree on their respective ages and avoid the paradox. The resolution relies on the selection of a preferred frame singled out by the topology of the space.
©2001 The American Physical Society
URL: http://link.aps.org/abstract/PRA/v63/e044104
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.63.044104
PACS: 03.30.+p
[ Abstract | Previous article | Next article | Issue 4 ]
About PROLA | Terms and Conditions | Subscriptions | Search | Help
Content in PROLA © 2008 by The American Physical Society All rights reserved. PROLA™ is a trademark of The American Physical Society. Use of APS online journals implies that the user has read and agrees to the Terms and Conditions in the Subscription Agreement.