A Geometrical Characterization of the Twin Paradox and its Variants

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide a logic-based conceptual analysis of the twin paradox (TwP) theorem within a first-order logic framework. A geometrical characterization of TwP and its variants is given. It is shown that TwP is not logically equivalent to the assumption of the slowing down of moving clocks, and the lack of TwP is not logically equivalent to the Newtonian assumption of absolute time. The logical connection between TwP and a symmetry axiom of special relativity is also studied.

22 pages, 3 figures

References in corpus (3)

• Twin Paradox and the logical foundation of relativity theory
• A Logical Analysis of the Time-Warp Effect of General Relativity
• Is the relativity principle consistent with classical electrodynamics? Towards a logico-empiricist reconstruction of a physical theory

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• Comparing theories: the dynamics of changing vocabulary. A case-study in relativity theory
• First-Order Logic Investigation of Relativity Theory with an Emphasis on Accelerated Observers
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• On the twin paradox in static spacetimes: I. Schwarzschild metric
• An Axiom System for General Relativity Complete with respect to Lorentzian Manifolds
• On some Symmetry Axioms in Relativity Theories