Tale Of Two Twins, A: The Langevin Experiment Of A Traveler To A Star

Langevin's 1911 thought experiment, the Clock Paradox, challenges the theory of Relativity by showing that a twin who travels to a star at nearly the velocity of light returns to Earth older than his twin brother. This phenomenon has been debated for over a century, with thousands of published articles discussing it. This book presents a simple and clear solution developed in the framework of the Special Theory of Relativity, which explains the paradox by focusing on the acceleration of the twins. The book seeks to answer why physicists debated excessively on the paradox and struggled to reach an agreement, why there was resistance to integrating acceleration into their studies, and why this solution is known only by a minority of scientists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2020
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd

The Clock Paradox, also known as the Twin Paradox, is a mind-bending thought experiment proposed by Albert Einstein in 1911. It revolves around a twin who travels to a star at nearly the speed of light and returns to Earth, only to find that his twin brother has aged significantly. This paradox has fascinated scientists and philosophers for over a century, with numerous articles debating its implications. Despite its profound consequences, a consensus on a simple and clear solution has remained elusive.

In this book, we delve into the intricate analysis of the Clock Paradox within the framework of the Special Theory of Relativity. We explore the various solutions proposed by physicists and philosophers, including those of Albert Einstein himself. We demonstrate that the key to understanding the paradox lies in the acceleration experienced by the twins. However, it is surprising that many models that fail to incorporate acceleration are incompatible with the original idea proposed by Langevin.

Why did physicists engage in extensive debates and struggle to reach a consensus on this paradox? Why was there resistance to integrating acceleration into their studies? Why is the solution developed in this book known only to a minority of scientists? These are the questions that this book seeks to answer.

Written for physicists, historians, and philosophers of science, this book aims to shed light on the psychological challenges that arise when accepting theoretical results. It also highlights the fact that scientific knowledge is not uniformly distributed among scientists. By examining the historical context, psychological factors, and distribution of knowledge, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Clock Paradox and its implications for our understanding of the universe.

In conclusion, the Clock Paradox is a fascinating and perplexing phenomenon that challenges our understanding of time, space, and the nature of reality. This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the paradox, exploring the various solutions proposed by physicists and philosophers. By examining the psychological barriers to acceptance, the historical context, and the distribution of knowledge, we hope to shed light on this enigmatic puzzle and contribute to the ongoing dialogue between science and philosophy.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811219092