aikaraoitus

Aikaraoitus is a Finnish term that translates to "time dilation" in English. It refers to the phenomenon where time passes at different rates for different observers depending on their relative motion or gravitational potential. This concept is a fundamental consequence of Albert Einstein's theories of relativity, specifically special relativity and general relativity.

In special relativity, time dilation occurs due to relative velocity. An observer moving at a significant fraction of the speed of light will experience time passing more slowly compared to a stationary observer. This effect becomes more pronounced as the speed approaches the speed of light. For everyday speeds, the difference is negligible, but it has been experimentally verified using atomic clocks and particle accelerators.

General relativity introduces gravitational time dilation. In regions of stronger gravitational fields, time passes more slowly than in regions with weaker gravitational fields. This means that time passes slightly slower for someone on Earth's surface compared to someone in orbit, where gravity is weaker. This effect is crucial for the accurate functioning of GPS satellites, which must account for both special and general relativistic time dilation to maintain precise positioning. The term aikaraoitus encapsulates these real-world, measurable effects on the passage of time.