Home > Sciences > Physical Science > Physics
Results so far:
| No | 36% | 615 votes | Total: 1686 votes | |
| Yes | 64% | 1071 votes |
Created on: March 02, 2010 Last Updated: March 10, 2010
Is Time Travel Theoretically Feasible?
According to Einstein's general theory of relativity time and space are connected and form four-dimensional space-time. In general relativity time is not absolute and different observers have different times, like when its 12:00 in England its 24:00 at the other side of the world. Time does not flow when the universe is viewed as a whole.
Time plays a key part Quantum mechanics. It is used to keep track of the ever-changing probabilities of the quantum universe.
General Relativity treats space and time as one and Quantum Mechanics splits the universe in two. The first part is the quantum system that is being observed. The second part is the classical world outside.
In his special theory of relativity Einstein states that an outside observer would see the clock on a moving object tick slower than one that is at rest next to him. This statement seems to show that time outside a fast moving vehicle moves faster than time inside of it.
Relativity experiments show that if you synchronise two identical atomic clocks and then leave one one the ground and place the other in an aircraft, sending it on a round the world trip, when you compare them at the end of the trip the one on the plane will be slightly slower than the one that had been left on the ground. You could then say that the occupants of the plane have traveled into the future making the plane a time machine.
So using Einstein's Theories of Relativity you could say that Forward time travel is possible and already happens but going back in time is not.
The faster you travel the further forward in time you would travel. So if we could travel at the speed of light we could in theory travel a great distance into the future. But we cannot test this theory until we can travel at those velocities.
And so in conclusion Thanks to Albert Einstein we know that time travel is theoretically feasible, but we need to find a way to travel at the speed of light or faster if we are going to be able to test his theory properly and them make it a reality.
Learn more about this author, Nish Laverz.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:
Quantum physics: Is time travel theoretically feasible?
Yes
No
View all articles on: Quantum physics: Is time travel theoretically feasible?
Featured Partner
The mission of Life for Mothers is to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in developing countries, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa, by strengthening healthcare systems and developing, implementing, managing and funding in...more