2012arXiv (Cornell University)Open access

The twin paradox in relativity revisited

Vasant Natarajan

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Abstract

The accepted resolution of the twin paradox in relativity states that the age of the inertial twin `jumps' when the traveling twin undergoes his turn-around acceleration. This resolution is based on the use of the equivalent gravitational shift in the frame of the accelerating twin. We use the same analysis to propose a symmetric variant of the problem with the twins experiencing identical acceleration and deceleration phases, but which predicts conflicting results for the age of the other twin. We also propose an unambiguous test of the standard resolution based on the Pound-Rebka experiment.

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The accepted resolution of the twin paradox in relativity states that the age of the inertial twin `jumps' when the traveling twin undergoes his turn-around acceleration. This resolution is based on the use of the equivalent gravitational shift in the frame of the accelerating twin. We use the same analysis to propose a symmetric variant of the problem with the twins experiencing identical acceleration and deceleration phases, but which predicts conflicting results for the age of the other twin. We also propose an unambiguous test of the standard resolution based on the Pound-Rebka experiment.

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Available abstract

The accepted resolution of the twin paradox in relativity states that the age of the inertial twin `jumps' when the traveling twin undergoes his turn-around acceleration. This resolution is based on the use of the equivalent gravitational shift in the frame of the accelerating twin. We use the same analysis to propose a symmetric variant of the problem with the twins experiencing identical acceleration and deceleration phases, but which predicts conflicting results for the age of the other twin. We also propose an unambiguous test of the standard resolution based on the Pound-Rebka experiment.

Key concepts: Twin paradox, Inertial frame of reference, Acceleration, Theory of relativity, Physics, Resolution (logic), Pound (networking), Special relativity

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