Gravitational Time Dilation
The phenomenon where time passes measurably slower in regions of lower gravitational potential (stronger gravity).
Governing formula
t_0 = t_f √(1 - 2 G M / (r c²))
SI unit
Seconds (Relativistic Time Difference)
In depth
Clocks situated deeper in a gravitational potential well tick slower relative to clocks situated further out. Verified experimentally using atomic clocks on Earth and high-altitude aircraft.
Examples in the real world
GPS navigation satellite atomic clocks running ~45 microseconds faster per day due to higher gravitational potential, requiring relativistic corrections.