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More Graphics About Einstein’s General Relativity and Your Age

Albert Einstein’s 1915 theory of general relativity proposes an effect called time dilation. This means that you would age slightly slower or faster depending on the gravitational field, an effect that can be measured with atomic clocks located at different elevations. NIST scientists have used atomic clocks as sensors to measure general relativity more and more precisely. A 2022 experiment measured time dilation at the smallest scale ever, showing that two tiny clocks in the same cloud of atoms, separated by just a millimeter or the width of a sharp pencil tip, tick at different rates. A 2010 experiment measured it by comparing two independent atomic clocks, one positioned 33 centimeters (about 1 foot) above the other.

Illustration shows Jupiter with information about how relativity affects your age there.
Credit: N. Hanacek/NIST
Illustration shows the Moon with information about how relativity affects your age there.
Credit: N. Hanacek/NIST
Illustration shows Mount Everest with information about how relativity affects your age there.
Credit: N. Hanacek/NIST
Illustration shows mountains and a road with information about how relativity affects your age in Boulder.
Credit: N. Hanacek/NIST
Illustration shows Washington, D.C., monuments and a river with information about how relativity affects your age in at sea level.
Credit: N. Hanacek/NIST
Illustration shows a stylized shoreline with information about how relativity affects your age at the Dead Sea.
Credit: N. Hanacek/NIST
Illustration shows deep waters with information about how relativity affects your age there.
Credit: N. Hanacek/NIST

 

 

Created December 21, 2022