What does time dilation mean?
Time dilation refers to the relation of time to motion. At very high speeds, time will appear to slow down to a stationary observer.Special Theory of RelativityAlbert Einstein published the special theory of relativity in 1905. The theory proposed that Newton’s three laws of motion did not hold true at speeds approaching that of light (186,000 miles per second).Speed of LightWhen an object or person travels close to or at the speed of light, a stationary observer would see that person or object as slowing down. The closer to the speed of light an object travels, the more it would appear to slow down. This effect is called time dilation.Twin ParadoxEinstein liked to engage in “thought experiments” to illustrate his ideas. One thought experiment was the “twin paradox” in which one twin leaves Earth, traveling on a spaceship at speeds approaching the speed of light. When he returns, he finds that he is now younger than his twin.Experimental EvidenceTo test special relativity, two scientis
