Time dilation is one of the most fascinating effects of Einstein’s theory of relativity. It shows that time does not pass at the same rate for everyone and depends on speed and gravity. In other words, time is flexible and linked to the structure of space-time itself.

There are two main types of time dilation. Velocity-based time dilation occurs when an object moves close to the speed of light. The faster it travels, the slower time passes for it compared to someone at rest. This effect has been confirmed with atomic clocks on fast-moving planes and in particle accelerators.

Gravitational time dilation happens when an object is near a massive body. Strong gravity slows down time relative to areas with weaker gravity. For example, clocks near a black hole or a massive star tick slower than clocks far away. This is not just theoretical—GPS satellites must correct for this effect to provide accurate positioning.

Time dilation demonstrates that time is not absolute. It depends on motion and gravity, showing how deeply space and time are connected. Understanding this concept helps us grasp the strange, flexible nature of time in the universe.