research paper about the possibility of time travel

Essay by Burny03High School, 11th gradeA+, August 2002

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Time Machines: Fact or Fiction?

Ever since H. G. Wells wrote his classic novel The Time Machine, there has been a continuing fascination with time travel. This dream of time travel has invaded every part of society, from the mass media to the micro media. With recent advancements in science and technology, scientists have been able to theoretically prove that it is possible to travel through time.

In 1905 Albert Einstein published his theory of relativity. His theory predicted that time slows down as you approach high speeds. (Brian) This is some times called time dilation. (Encarta) As objects approach the speed of light, time slows to "a snails pace," at the speed of light time stops, and if the object could travel faster than the speed of light time would travel backwards. This is the key point in building a time machine. If a person were able to travel faster than the speed of light they would travel back in time.

This example of a time machine is sometimes called the twins paradox. (Time Travel)

The twins paradox is a very simple way to explain how Einstein's theory works. There are two twins identical in every conceivable way. They were born at the same exact moment and they look exactly alike. One twin

boards a large spaceship and is sent hurdling off into space almost at the speed of light, while the other twin remains on earth. Time for the twin on the spaceship has almost stopped, while time for the earth bound twin has remained at its constant rate. When the twin on the spaceship returns home after some time, he finds that his brother is as old as their grandfather. Time slowed down for the spaceship twin, which kept him from aging. (Time Travel Research Center)...