Concept Of Time: Do You Grow Old Faster The Higher You Live?

Time is a crucial fundamental aspect of human existence, shaping the way we view and experience the world around us. And as we go about our day-to-day living, one may wonder how the concept of time affects our lives and whether our environment contributes to the impact. In today’s article, we will be exploring the concept of time and whether living at a higher altitude speeds up our ageing process.

Is time constant?

Time is considered constant in the sense that it is constantly moving forward at a fixed rate. A second will always be one second, and a minute will always be 60 seconds. However, one can experience time differently depending on several factors, such as one’s velocity, location, and perception. This is due to the theory of relativity, which suggests that time can appear to be faster or slower depending on the observer’s reference frame. Hence, while time is constant in its basic unit of measurement, it can be variable relative in other contexts.

For example, if you place a clock at the top of the mountain and another at the bottom of the mountain, you will eventually find out that both clocks end up telling a different time. What is even more extraordinary for such an example is that it is not just limited to clocks. The same phenomenon affects humans too. If one lives on the highest floor of a building compared to the other living on the ground floor, time flows differently. The one living on the highest floor would have lived more time by a fraction of a nanosecond.

So, why does this happen?

This mysterious phenomenon is known as Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, which was introduced by the scientist himself in 1915. The theory refers to the effect known as gravitational time dilation, which in layperson’s terms, is a bendable universe.

Our universe is made up of four dimensions, the third dimension of the physical realm and the fourth dimension of time. Time and space are interconnected. When cosmic bodies travel through space, time is bent. Hence, according to the Theory of General Relativity, the gravitational force that we experience is a result of the bending of the space-time continuum.

We all know that the heavier the object’s mass is, the stronger the gravitational field it has. As a result of the stronger gravitational field, the more significant the bending of the space-time continuum will be, resulting in a slower movement of time. We experience the strongest force of gravity at the Earth’s surface, and the higher we go, the effect of gravity weakens. This means that even if it is at a nanoscopic scale, according to the Theory of General Relativity, the higher we are, the less the bending of the space-time continuum, and the faster time will flow.

However, it is crucial to understand that for the two individuals at different heights, the time they both observe would be perfectly normal to either, and they had both been right. It is only when they compare their times with one another that they will realise that the one on the ground floor is a little behind in time than the one on the highest floor.

Conclusion

This means that living higher means lower gravitational effects, which results in you moving forward slightly faster than those living down below. However, do not worry, as the wrinkles will not catch up to you that fast. While the world of quantum physics is still vastly unexplored, knowing this certainly opens up the door for life-changing developments and studies. Who knows, one day, travelling through time could become a reality.

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