Time Dilation in Relativity Theory

The Time Dilation Formula

From special relativity theory, we have:

t'/t = square root of {1 - (v/c)^2} = The Lorenz factor.

where
t' = elapsed time for moving object
t = elapsed time for an object at rest (v=0)
v = velocity/speed of the object
c = the speed of light (which is constant)

c = distance / time = constant
Therefore, distance (d) and time (t) are relative!

As v = 0 (the object is at rest with respect to the frame of reference), t'/t becomes 1 and therefore t' = t. The elapsed time at rest equals the elapsed time while moving (because the speed is 0).

As v = c (the object is traveling at the speed of light), then t'/t becomes 0, and t' = 0*t = 0. The elapsed time while moving t' is 0* (time elapsed at rest)

For an object traveling at the speed of light time does not elapse. The closer the object travels to the speed of light, the less time passes for that object during the displacement.

The faster an object moves through space, the slower it moves through time!


Time passes less for an object traveling fast (comparable to the speed of light) compared to a stationary object. For the stationary object more time passes than for an object which is traveling fast.

The faster the object travels the the less time passes for that object compared to its stationary surroundings. This phenomenon is called time dilation