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Suppose I have a very powerful and durable rocket that is able to reach speed of light minus $10^{-1000^{1000^{1000}}}$ in $10^{-1000^{1000^{1000}}}$ milliseconds. Very instant acceleration. I can also adjust the amount of acceleration. I want my rocket to travel to a location that is 1 light-year far from earth, and turn back. I want my rocket to come back as soon as possible according to my watch.

  1. Is it approximately 2 years?

  2. How much time would pass according to my rocket's watch?

  3. Would the result be different if I want my rocket to come back as soon as possible according to its watch?

Koray
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1 Answers1

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I see where you are going but I don't think you can trick the time. If we ignore the reality and assume that your speed is approaching the speed of light:

  1. It would take you just a little bit over two years if the clock you are using to measure the time was not with you in the rocket.

  2. On the rocket's watch, you would have a very little time passed, less than a minute or about it, as when you move with the speed that is approaching the speed of light, your time slows down exponentially. If you could reach the speed of light, your rocket's clock would stop.

David Z
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V M
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