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+--- Thread: Time Dilation — How Motion Changes Time (/showthread.php?tid=434)
Time Dilation — How Motion Changes Time - Leejohnston - 01-08-2026
## Time Dilation — How Motion Changes Time
### 1. The Equation
Time dilation (special relativity):
Δt = Δt₀ ÷ √(1 − v² / c²)
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### 2. What Each Symbol Means
- Δt = observed time
- Δt₀ = proper time (time at rest)
- v = relative velocity
- c = speed of light
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### 3. What the Equation Is Telling Us
Moving clocks tick **more slowly** than stationary ones.
The faster you move, the slower your time passes relative to others.
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### 4. Where It Comes From (Intuition)
The speed of light must be the same for all observers.
Time adjusts to preserve that rule.
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### 5. Worked Example
If:
- v = 0.8c
Then:
√(1 − 0.64) = 0.6
Time runs at **60%** of normal.
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### 6. Real-World Applications
- GPS satellites
- Particle accelerators
- Space travel scenarios
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### 7. Common Misconceptions
- Time dilation is psychological → false
- Only noticeable near light speed → mostly true
- Time stops at c → undefined (cannot reach c)
---
### Try It Yourself
How fast must you travel for time to slow by half?