Einstein Under the Microscope: What the Twin Paradox and Binary Stars say about Classical Physics versus Relativity
Dave Thomas
In this paper, relativistic time dilation and length contraction are explored using the simple concepts of radar ranging and Doppler shifts, without recourse to the Lorentz equations. Then, the Twin Paradox of Relativity is examined from two viewpoints, Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity and Classical Physics. The non-relativistic results are as surprising and non-intuitive as the relativistic ones, as are those of how a binary star system would appear in both scenarios. Finally, real measurements are used to compare against the two hypotheses for both the Twin Paradox and Binary Stars, and vividly demonstrate which one is the correct model.
