Thursday 17 September 2020

relativity - How are accelerated reference frames non-symmetrical?


As in, if I'm accelerating away from the Earth, then does the Earth also appear to be accelerating away from me at the same rate? Or is there something to "break" this type of symmetry?


My question is inspired by the below discussions:


http://www.quora.com/Special-Relativity/When-I-am-traveling-at-high-speed-near-speed-of-light-am-I-time-traveling-or-slowing-my-aging-slowing-my-particles-speed-interactions/answer/Anthony-Yeh


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_paradox#Resolution_of_the_paradox_in_special_relativity



Answer




Kinematically, yes. In terms of describing the positions of objects, it is equivalent to say "A is accelerating away from B" and "B is accelerating away from A". However, it is an observed fact that the universe treats these two situations differently. A and B can check whether they feel artificial gravity in their reference frame. If so, it's accelerating. As far as I know, the "way the universe decides" to break this symmetry is a topic of continuing speculation.


Check out some related questions:


Inertia in an empty universe


Is acceleration an absolute quantity?


Is rotational motion relative to space?


Acceleration in special relativity


Newton's Bucket


What if the universe is rotating as a whole?


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