Can someone tell me about the "twin theory"?

Question

I would like to know more about this theory, and if you know any good websites that discuss it that would be great too! All I know is the very basics.... something about 1 of the twins traveling out of the solar system, returning to earth and in theory the twin on earth will have aged? or something like that. Id like to know more, I find it interesting. Thanks!!

Answer 1

the topic you're asking about is generally referred to as the "twin paradox", since, when the process of sending a twin off in a spaceship is completed one twin is OLDER than the other. isn't that CRAZY? well, it certainly used to blow people's minds.

The story goes like this: in einstein's special relativity, time passes at a slower rate the faster you go. So there are two twins, and one goes on a trip in outerspace, while the other stays home. The one on the space-trip ends up moving away from the earth at a speed very close to the speed of light. when she gets back, only a year of her time has passed; but then because time was passing SLOWER for her than on earth, SEVERAL years have passed on earth by the time she gets back. so she gets back home and her twin is much older than her, even though they're twins!

Answer 2

The twin theory, as I understand it, has to do with the twin's speed of travel. Space travel assumes a very high rate of speed; the closer you get to the speed of light, the faster time is going (I'm definitely not Einstein reincarnated). So, if the twin who goes into outer space is going close to the speed of light, time will pass slower for him, and that means he won't age the same as his twin on earth. Give me a minute and I'll find a website :)

Also, technically, they will both be the exact same age as they were before - it's just the physiology that will be different!

Answer 3

The twin on earth would have aged and the traveling out of the solar system twin would have aged as well

Answer 4

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/22mar_telomeres.htm