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The phrasing in the title is really bad, so let me clarify what I mean. Does time "go slower" at sea level than, for example, on the top of a mountain, according to the theory of relativity?

I'd like to know specifically the answer

  1. according to SR only, without taking into account GR,
  2. taking into account both SR and GR
Elvis
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1 Answers1

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In SR it would depend on the reference frame you are using. In an inertial reference frame where the clock on the mountain is moving faster then it will tick slower. But you will always be able to find an inertial reference frame where the opposite is true.

In GR the situation on the earth is well described by the weak field metric. Using that metric the clock at a lower gravitational potential (the one at sea level) will tick more slowly.

Dale
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