Choosing Coordinate Systems and the Twin Paradox

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Choosing different ways of slicing spacetime into space and time equates to choosing a different coordinate system. The twin paradox arises from the fact that the duration of time you personally experience measures the interval traversed through spacetime. Just like two people walking different distances between the same two points in space, in the twin paradox, one twin moves only in time while the other travels a curved path in spacetime, demonstrating the difference between space-like and time-like paths.

Welcome to the May 2024 Ask Me Anything episode of Mindscape! These monthly excursions are funded by Patreon supporters (who are also the ones asking the questions). We take questions asked by Patreons, whittle them down to a more manageable number -- based primarily on whether I have anything interesting to say about them, not whether the questions themselves are good -- and sometimes group them together if they are about a similar topic. Enjoy!

Blog post with questions and transcript: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2024/05/06/ama-may-2024/

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