Is time constant?

Question

Consider Einstein's theory of relativity. Given that our planet, solar system, galaxy, etc are in motion, is it conceivable that time (at least on our planet) is not truly constant?

Answer 1

Einstein also showed that time is nothing more than a concept invented by humans to separate events. This means that time is NOT a natural feature of our universe....there's no Cosmic Master Clock ticking away by which all other clocks need to be synchronized. The only definite statement that can be made about time is that it's relative...two observers may disagree on what time it is.

Answer 2

Take Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2 (said E equals m c squared) and lets throw some unit analysis at it to see if it is a good equation. Using the m-g-s system of measurement, we can substitute for E (Energy) a Joule, a unit of energy, and in the m-g-s system, we can say that a joule is the force of 1 Newton acting over a distance of 1 meter, or simply N·m. Since a Newton can also be written as a kilogram·meter per second squared, we can express energy as kg·m^2/s^2. Then for m (mass) we can substitute kg. For c, the speed of light, we can substitute m/s (or meters per second, a measurement of speed). We end up with Einstein's equation rewritten like this:

E=mc^2
kg·m^2/s^2 = kg·m^2/s^2

This says that a kilogram meter squared per second squared is equal to a kilogram meter squared per second squared. You may say that this does not tell us anything, but it does tell us at least two things. One, Einstein's equation is correct according to a simple unit analysis, and two, you might be able to see that whatever the coefficinets are for the units on each side of the equal sign of the equation, that time, the second squared (s^2) part of the equation, will change per the mass changes (kg) or the distance changes (m).

Surely we have all heard of the atomic clock tests done at ultra high speeds where the stationary control clock gains a little time.

Now, having said all of that, certainly one can sense that time is not equal even to all humans, i.e., a youngster waiting 1/2 hour in front of a clock waiting before he can go swimming vs. a carpenter that is trying to install a front door before the owner shows up to inspect and pay for services rendered. The child's 1/2 hour seems very long indeed, and the hurried carpenter's 1/2 hour will be over in seconds.

One may argue that the mind has nothing to do with time, but nay, relativity is more than math.

Answer 3

There is no reason to believe that time is anything "real". Like one of the previous posters here said, it is a perceptual construct that connects similar events in space-time. Time is the notion by which we measure change/motion. Without change or motion there would be no time and vice versa.
I am of the opinion that time does not exist. Instead, every possible configuration of matter and energy in our universe exists simulatneously which can be visualized as a sort of topographical model. Each cross section of this model represents one "instant" or "now". Our experience merely traces a path through these configurations in a probabilistic manner resulting in the illusion of a forward arrow of time.

Answer 4

Einstein proved that time is relative.... the faster you go in your spaceship the more time in your frame of reference slows down when compared to a stationary frame of reference back on Earth for example.

This has been demonstrated by placing one of two synchronized clocks on the space shuttle... after the one clock gets back from orbiting the Earth for a week or two at 70,000 mph, it no longer reads the same time as the clock left on Earth.

Answer 5

Refer to the Equation of time.
Time is not linear. The motion of the earth as it displace its volume in the orbit around the Sun is considered one oscillation.
The time per oscillation is not the same thruout the orbit .
The formula for time around the Orbit can be simplified in term of Newton and Kepplers who actually came up with the eqation.
T^2 is directly proportional to the cube of the radius vector of Earth's orbit around the Sun.

The Relativity time formulas work very well with waves be it gravity wave ,sound waves or other waves.That is the only occurance where the wavelenght can shorted and the period of oscillation dilated.

So time can be described as inertial time or gravity time.
Both times are non linear functions.

Answer 6

Motion and gravity slows time. This means there must be a fastest time to start from. That would be a constant.

In other words it might be both a relative and a constant at the same time!

Answer 7

Time is a measurement of change. It could be a noticable plant growth (which took time) or the hours it took to get somewhere (that is a measurable event, measured in define increments that we refer to as time.)

Pretend that you are able to travel at the speed of light. (Just a thought experiment, since theory states it would take an infinite amount of energy). Anyway as you get to the speed of light, time, as you perceive it would stop. To any observer you would not be moving but for you things seem normal. That also would mean that you could be anywhere in the universe in no time at all.

Therefore , time is not constant. It changes in relation to the speed of light, that is, in this universe.

Answer 8

How can it be constant when days get darker and the nights get lighter. Were time constant theree would be no change-all would be the same as in suspended time-nothing could grow either for time has to move for that to occur. Where ther is life time can not be constant.

Answer 9

It isn't constant. That is what Einstein said. We will hardly notice any changes, but it has been shown using atomic clocks placed on 747s.

Answer 10

Time is absolutely constant right down to the molecular level in any given environment to any observer residing in that environment. (Atomic clocks have proven that) It is only when time is compared to different evironments - different volocities, gravitational fields, etc. - that time is not constant. (Atomic clocks have also proven this.)