The twin paradox in relativity revisited

TL;DR

This paper revisits the twin paradox in relativity, proposing a symmetric variant with identical acceleration phases and suggesting an experimental test to clarify the standard resolution.

Contribution

It introduces a symmetric twin paradox scenario and proposes an experimental test to resolve conflicting interpretations of age differences.

Findings

Symmetric twin scenario predicts conflicting age results.

Proposes Pound-Rebka experiment as a test for the paradox resolution.

Challenges the standard explanation based on gravitational shift.

Abstract

The accepted resolution of the twin paradox in relativity states that the age of the inertial twin `jumps' when the traveling twin undergoes his turn-around acceleration. This resolution is based on the use of the equivalent gravitational shift in the frame of the accelerating twin. We use the same analysis to propose a symmetric variant of the problem with the twins experiencing identical acceleration and deceleration phases, but which predicts conflicting results for the age of the other twin. We also propose an unambiguous test of the standard resolution based on the Pound-Rebka experiment.