2007-11-17 05:22:31 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Time travel is only possible within the context of the time dilation theory. All other hypothetics are yet unproven.
There are two types of time dilation effects: Velocity induced and gravity induced. Under these theories, one may travel into the future but never into the past.
In velocity induced dilation, one would need to travel at a speed approaching lightspeed for a considerable length of time to notice effects. Travel at and beyond the speed of light is theoretically impossible. Effects are noticed at speeds as 'slow' as 1/10 the speed of light. The effects would be cummulative. For example, a person travelling at such speed for years on his/her wristwatch would make the difference on the earthman's wristwatch much more noticeable than if he had travelled at such speed for a few months.
Time dilation is described precisely by the Lorentz transformation.
In general relativity, clocks at lower potentials in a gravitational field — such as in close proximity to a planet — are found to be running slower. In special relativity, the time dilation effect is reciprocal: as observed from the point of view of any two clocks which are in motion with respect to each other, it will be the other party's clocks that is time dilated.
Both of these theories have been tested and proven a number of times since the late 1930's.
Gravitational time dilation is agreed upon by all stationary observers, independent of their altitude. An observer at the top of a tower will observe that clocks at ground level tick slower, and observers on the ground will agree. This means that a person on Earth would age slower than a person living on the International Space Station.
The Global Positioning System can be considered a continuously operating experiment in both special and general relativity. The in-orbit clocks are corrected for both special and general relativistic time-dilation effects so they run at the same (average) rate as clocks at the surface of the Earth.
2007-11-17 06:42:34 · answer #1 · answered by Troasa 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Wasn't it that great physicist Albert Einstein (of e=mc^2 fame) who said it was possible? And it's been proved correct that travelling near the speed of light slows time down, so it's a yes to time travel.
Going back in time is another thing.. but it's paradoxical in as much as where would you go back to, and then what line of time would you move forward in? Some say it would put you into a parallel universe. If that's true, it might explain why we've never seen anyone from the future (not that we know anyhow).
2007-11-19 09:39:49 · answer #2 · answered by shrushgb 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Travelling faster than normal into the future is a piece of cake, you just need to travel somewhat close to the speed of light for a certain period of time. Upon returning to your home base you'll find that you only aged for that period of time that you traveled, but many times that period would have passed back on based.
Now, going back, that's the rub. Theoretically it can be done, from an engineering standpoint...certainly not yet. Maybe not ever.
2007-11-17 20:34:25 · answer #3 · answered by SCE2AUX 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if time travel was possible would not some one have come back from the future by now.
2007-11-17 05:29:31 · answer #4 · answered by Aonarach 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We are all travelling forward in tme at rhe rate of 60 minutes per hour.
2007-11-17 05:37:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am told that it can be done and has been done on non living items. The item is broken down into it's molecular units and moved and reassemble. I think someday we will travel that way, i will not see it in this lifetime, but who knows maybe next time around, or the next.
2007-11-17 05:32:03 · answer #6 · answered by Lyn B 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes. The mathematics deal with negative energy, but they do indicate its possible.
It has been observed at the Quantium level, of particles traveling backwards in time
2007-11-17 05:26:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Time is not an element of the universe, it is man made. You can't travel through something that does not exist.
2007-11-17 05:28:27 · answer #8 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No it is a good question. Anyone who says it isn't possible is stupid. I've had it explained to me... But believe me there is not enough room for letters on here... Lol... If you can grasp the whole concept of time and dimensions, you should do some research.. However confusing, it's amazing.
2007-11-17 05:34:06 · answer #9 · answered by let me have my fractured logic 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Theoretically possible but physically impossible,,it is thought however that it may be possible to remotely view the past ,,rather like watching TV where you can`t interact with the past,,,,
2007-11-17 05:26:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋