Time dilation occurs when two observers experience time differently due to relative speed or distance from a gravitational mass. Each observer perceives the other’s clock as slower, but in gravitational time dilation, they agree that one clock is slower and the other is faster.
Time dilation is a scientific phenomenon that occurs according to the theory of relativity. When two observers are present, each will experience time differently from the other, leading each to believe that the other’s experience of time is incorrect. Time dilation can be created either through a relative speed difference between the two observers, or through their difference in distance from a large mass. The first situation is called relative velocity time dilation and the second is known as gravitational time dilation.
Any time dilation caused by a relative difference in speed will lead one observer to believe that time is moving slower for the second observer. In this setup, the two observers must be away from any gravitational masses and must be moving at significant speeds for the effect to be significant enough to detect. Higher speeds increase the amount of time dilation experienced for observers.
Each observer wears a watch and looks at the other observer’s watch in relation to his own watch. Due to relative speeds, time appears to stretch or slow down in the other clock relative to the local clock. This phenomenon will be experienced by both individuals and both observers will feel that the other clock is moving slower than their own clocks.
Gravitational time dilation is the second type described by relativity. During this situation, two observers are at rest with respect to each other and a gravitational mass. Both observatories are located at different distances from the mass, which are significant enough to experience time dilation. The observer who is closer to the mass is experiencing a stronger gravitational pull from the mass than the observer who is further away. The gravitational pull of the mass is sometimes referred to as a gravity well, and the first observer is described as being deeper in the well than the second observer.
Each of the two observers carries a watch with them to record the time. The first observer, who is closest to the gravitational mass, will see the other observer’s clock faster than their own, while the second observer will see the first observer’s clock slower than their own. Every observer still perceives the local clock as the correct record of time. Unlike the speed situation, observers in this situation agree that one clock is slower and the other is faster.
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