Lorentz Transformation for Twin Paradox
Lorentz Transformation for Twin Paradox
The much-cited twin paradox consists of three stages: (1) the traveling twin takes off; (2) he turns around; and (3) he arrives back home. Those three events are connected by the green line segments. In this simulation, imagine that the traveling twin is moving between two walls or space stations, with the path marked in blue. The presence of these two space stations suggests three more observable events, namely, what can be seen happening at the opposite space station by the traveling twin when he is at: (4) takeoff; (5) turnaround; and (6) arrival home. You can adjust the light cone parameter to the viewpoint of each of these six events, and adjust the "beta" parameter, to see the space-time diagram in different reference frames.