Hello all,
General Relativity predicts that when a light ray leaves the ground and rises
higher its frequency gets smaller (i.e., light is redshifted). The Round &
Rebka (1960) experiment confirmed the prediction. On the other hand clocks run
more slowly in the precence of gravity. This is related to the gravitational
redshift since atomic oscillations which emit the radiation can be viewed as
accurate clocks.
Here comes my question: I understand that the frequency of light (or any
electromagnetic wave) decreases when it "climbs" higher from the ground. This
means that period of the wave motion increases. Is there a way to "see" that
this (decrease in f, increase in T) implies that time passes faster at higher
altitude? For some reason I can't see it :-). Could you come up with an
explanation which would be suitable at the high school level?
Regards,
Antti
Antti Savinainen
Senior Lecturer in Physics and Mathematics
Kuopion Lyseo High School
Puijonkatu 18
70110 Kuopio, FINLAND
E-mail: antti.savinainen@kuopio.fi
Home page: <http://kotisivu.mtv3.fi/physics/>