Time dilation in Space-time due to mass
Theory of relativity and interrelation between space time and mass in space-time continuum
Many of us know space and time to
be different entities, but it is not our fault as we are only exposed to
classical mechanics in our daily life.
In classical mechanics, Euclidean
space is used, instead of space-time. In classical mechanics, time is
considered to be universal and constant being independent of all possible
variables. This is true if the observer and the event are in the same frame and
all these things are happening on the surface of earth.
In contexts related to relative
theory, value of time varies according to the velocity of the observer or mass
of the body to which time is associated.
In space-time concept, time is
considered to be the fourth dimension.
If we have to define a point in the
space then we need three common dimensions which are horizontal, vertical and
depth (x, y, and z) and another imaginary dimension time. If there is no matter
at a particular point in the space then this fourth dimension doesn’t need to
be considered as time is same for all the points which doesn’t fall under the
space-time of any matter. Here matter can be anything that occupies space and
have some mass. If there is a matter at a particular point then the three
already known dimensions define the position of the point in the space and the
fourth imaginary dimension defines the flow of time at that point.
In this case time flows slowly at
the center of gravity of the body and the reduction in the flow of time is dependent on
the mass of the body. The phenomenon explained above is called Time Dilation due to mass of the
body.
To understand this concept better,
physicists have combined space and time to be one continuum and developed a
space-time. According to this, space-time is considered to be a flexible net
which is hanging in the open space. If a body is put on that net, then a
depression is caused in the shape of that net due to the mass of the body. This
depression shows the bending of time due to the mass of the body. It can be
understood easily with the help of the figure shown before this paragraph.
Related Articles: Time dilation, White hole
Credits: Image source- Google Images
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