Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

The Clock Paradox in Relativity

Abstract

As I have repeatedly pointed out, symmetrical ageing in this problem is an inevitable requirement of the postulate of relativity. I have given tne argument in the simplest possible form1 in order to facilitate refutation if it is indeed wrong. I therefore find it inexplicable that Sir Charles Darwin2, while completely ignoring this argument (in which he is at one with all other critics), can write that “the accepted theory of relativity ċ quite definitely implies that a space-traveller will return from his journey younger than his stay-at-home twin brother”. His reason for this assertion appears to be identical with that of Dr. J. H. Fremlin, on which I have already commented3. Since that comment appears to have been inadequate, I will consider the problem posed in more detail, in order to bring out what I believe to be the misconception underlying such arguments as that of Sir Charles Darwin.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Nature, 179, 1242 (1957).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Nature, 180, 976 (1957).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Nature, 180, 499 (1957).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

DINGLE, H. The Clock Paradox in Relativity. Nature 180, 1275–1276 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/1801275b0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1801275b0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing