An observer views four identical clocks that are traveling at speeds close to the speed of light. Can observations of the passage of time be used to rank the clocks according to their speeds?

A. Yes. The clock that shows the fastest passage of time is traveling the fastest.

B. Yes. The clock that shows the slowest passage of time is traveling the fastest.

C. No. The passage of time on the four clocks should be the same, regardless of speed.

D. No. The passage of time on each clock depends on the frame of reference of the observer.

Question

Warren Hamilton

Physics

5 October, 18:45

An observer views four identical clocks that are traveling at speeds close to the speed of light. Can observations of the passage of time be used to rank the clocks according to their speeds?

A. Yes. The clock that shows the fastest passage of time is traveling the fastest.

B. Yes. The clock that shows the slowest passage of time is traveling the fastest.

C. No. The passage of time on the four clocks should be the same, regardless of speed.

D. No. The passage of time on each clock depends on the frame of reference of the observer.

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Damarion Armstrong · Answer 1

The correct option is B.

According to Einstein, in his special theory of relativity, a moving clock runs more slowly as its velocity increases until it gets to the speed of light and it stops running altogether. Thus, the clock that is travelling the fastest will have the slowest passage of time while the one that is travelling the slowest will have the fastest passage of time.