What is (the) Time?

Time is one of the strangest things we can talk about. It is a simple concept that kids can understand at an early age but the concept of time is hard to explain in words. So, let’s spend some time talking about time.

Describing Time..

Time can be observed in nature only when changes occur. We look at the sky and we see clouds moving, meaning that time is passing. We sleep one-third of the day but that third might feel like seconds because we don’t see any changes.

When we are in a classroom and the subject feels boring, time doesn’t seem to move at all. However, when you are in a classroom where you like learning new things, time flies. How is that possible?

Einstein has said that if a man spends the same amount of time being with a beautiful woman and sitting on a bed full of thorns, the first would seem like seconds and the latter would seem like an eternity.

Einstein and relativity

Einstein was the first one to prove that time isn’t a constant that doesn’t change like we assume even today. Time is a property that changes depending on where we are. Let us explain this in simple words.

Einstein said that mass can make time and light bend. The bigger the mass the higher the curvature of time. On Earth, for example, we have a constant time. So, let’s consider two twin brothers. One will stay on Earth and the other on the Moon and they meet after 50 years. The brother that lived on the Moon will look much older than his brother on Earth. Earth being heavier than the Moon, time passes slower around a heavier object than the lighter object. So, the time on the Moon passes much faster than on Earth.

There is No Present...Just Past and Future

It might sound strange, but let us break this down for you. If we ask you the exact time now, you might say 17:15 and 25 seconds. But by the time we hear the time you just said, it would already be 17:15 and 26 seconds. So, the time you just told us is already past by 1 second.

Still not convinced? Alright then, imagine you are on a train moving at a constant speed and are on the phone with us. If we ask for your exact position, by the time you give us a position, you will have moved past that position because the train is in constant motion. Hence, you would never be able to give us your exact position as long as the train is moving. So, the moving train is a perfect way to explain time.

Conclusion

As you can imagine, science has discovered certain properties of time but it is still unable to entirely explain Time as a concept. Thermodynamics can explain time as hotter objects transferring heat to colder objects. In fewer words, it is the rate of change that defines time as per thermodynamics.

What we know about time is that it cannot be stopped, except in a black hole. Time is relative to the rate of change of the nature that surrounds us and finally, time will finish for us on one or the other day, so enjoy it!

Maglev Trains

A Maglev Train Model

Technology is the creation of humanity to solve many problems of daily life. The Maglev train is one such invention that tries to solve a crucial problem i.e., transportation . Magnetic levitation (Maglev) trains use a simple technology to levitate above rails which decreases the friction of the moving train with the surroundings. Due to this technique, a Maglev train can travel at a speed up to 400 mph.

Description

A Maglev train is a system of two sets of magnets that repel each other. The train levitates between 1 cm to 10 cm above the guideway and diminish any contact friction with the rails.

Power is supplied to the walls of the platform creating a magnetic field which pushes and pulls the train. The electric current is constantly changing direction which changes the polarity of the magnetic field. As a result, the front magnetic field of the train pulls it forward and that back magnetic field pushes it forward.

Advantages

Maglev trains are faster than most modern trains, which can reach velocities up to of more than 310 mph. The non-existence of contact friction with rail decrease the energy loses due to heat. The added aerodynamic shape decreases the air friction.

Another added benefit is that Maglev trains are almost noise free. The noise caused from the friction of the train with the rails doesn’t exist. Maglev trains are also very efficient as energy losses are minimised.

Disadvantages

Maglev trains carry a hefty price as a very high initial capital is required to construct the trains and platforms. The technology behind the Maglev train is still a relative new and may not be in the reach of most countries. Currently, the trains are functional only in Shanghai, China.

For an average passenger, the high speed journey could prove to be uncomfortable as well.

Future of Maglev Trains

Many countries such as Germany, UK and U.S.A. are testing the technology and will be launching it for public use in the near future. The duration of long journeys will be decreased efficiently with the global widespread of the technology in the coming years. The speed of Maglev trains can be increased as the technology develops.

The Final Word

Even though aeroplanes are the fastest way of transportation, there is a significant part of the population that doesn’t trust air travel. Trains are a popular choice of travel but they take a long time to cover long distances. Hence, Maglev trains will be able to connect people from all over the world, faster than it was ever possible with traditional trains.