1.
Introduction - Shannon (SLIDE 3)
(45 seconds)
Ladies and gentlemen, today we explore one of the most fascinating phenomena in modern
physics: time dilation, as dramatically depicted in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. On Miller’s
Planet, a single hour corresponds to seven years passing on Earth. How can such extreme time
distortion occur? Is this purely speculative fiction, or does it have a basis in real scientific
theory? By examining Einstein’s theories of relativity, the effects of black holes, and real-world
experiments, we will uncover the profound truth behind this cinematic portrayal of Time dilation.
2. Special Relativity and the Photon Clock Thought
Experiment - Girish (SLIDE 4 AND 5)
(1 minute)
(on slide 4)
To understand time dilation, we must first turn to Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity (1905),
which established that time is not an absolute constant but instead varies with velocity. A useful
analogy is the photon clock: a hypothetical clock that measures time by the movement of a
photon bouncing between two mirrors.
(on slide 5)
If this clock moves at a significant fraction of the speed of light, an outside observer would see
the photon follow a longer, diagonal path between ticks. Consequently, the moving clock
appears to tick more slowly than a stationary one.This is the essence of time dilation due to
relative motion.
However, in Interstellar, the dominant factor is not velocity but gravity, as described by Einstein’s
General Theory of Relativity.
3. Gravitational Time Dilation Near Black Holes -
Jonathan (SLIDE 6)
(1 minute)
The extreme time dilation on Miller’s Planet arises from its proximity to the supermassive black
hole, Gargantua. According to General Relativity, massive objects warp spacetime, causing time
to pass more slowly in stronger gravitational fields.
Mathematically, this is expressed by the Schwarzschild metric:
Here, T represents time near the black hole, t is the time measured far away, G is the
gravitational constant, M is the mass of the black hole, and r is the distance from its center.
For Miller’s Planet to experience a time dilation factor of approximately 1 hour to 7 years,
Gargantua must have a mass of around 50 million solar masses, a figure consistent with known
supermassive black holes.
4. Real-World Manifestations of Time Dilation - Naveen
(SLIDE 7)
(45 seconds)
While Interstellar presents an extreme case, time dilation is not merely theoretical—it has
measurable effects in our daily lives. Consider the following examples:
● Global Positioning System (GPS): Satellite clocks run approximately 38 microseconds
faster per day due to weaker gravitational pull in orbit. Without relativistic corrections,
GPS navigation would accumulate errors of several kilometers.
● High-Speed Travel: Atomic clocks aboard airplanes, as demonstrated in the
Hafele-Keating experiment which we will discuss in detail shortly, show measurable time
differences compared to ground-based clocks.
5. The Hafele-Keating Experiment - Mukund (SLIDE 8)
(1 minute)
Speaker:
In 1971, physicists Joseph Hafele and Richard Keating conducted a landmark experiment to
test relativistic time dilation. They flew atomic clocks aboard commercial airliners traveling in
opposite directions around the Earth.
The results were striking:
● Eastbound clocks (moving with Earth’s rotation) lost 59 nanoseconds due to their
increased velocity.
● Westbound clocks (moving against Earth’s rotation) gained 273 nanoseconds due to
reduced gravitational effects at higher altitudes.
This experiment conclusively demonstrated that both Special Relativity (velocity-based time
dilation) and General Relativity (gravitational time dilation) are real, measurable phenomena.
6. Conclusion - Sarveshwar (SLIDE 9)
(30 seconds)
Speaker:
In summary, Interstellar’s portrayal of time dilation is not mere artistic license but a scientifically
grounded concept. From the warping of spacetime near black holes to the precision of GPS
satellites, Einstein’s theories continue to shape our understanding of the universe.
As we advance in astrophysics and technology, the implications of relativity grow ever more
profound. Let us remember that the universe, as Einstein revealed, is far stranger and more
wondrous than fiction could imagine. Thank you!
