Question
The table below compares the distances between two bodies.
Comparison of Distance
Bodies Distance
X and Y 30.2 AU
Y and Z 7.2 light years
Based on the table, which of the following statements could be true?
X and Y are both within the solar system.
Y and Z are both within the solar system.
X and Y are farther apart than Y and Z.
Y and Z are both present on Earth.
Comparison of Distance
Bodies Distance
X and Y 30.2 AU
Y and Z 7.2 light years
Based on the table, which of the following statements could be true?
X and Y are both within the solar system.
Y and Z are both within the solar system.
X and Y are farther apart than Y and Z.
Y and Z are both present on Earth.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
To analyze the statements based on the given distances:
1. **X and Y are both within the solar system.**
- The distance between X and Y is 30.2 AU (astronomical units). Since 1 AU is the average distance from the Earth to the Sun (~93 million miles), this distance is indeed within the solar system, making this statement **potentially true**.
2. **Y and Z are both within the solar system.**
- The distance between Y and Z is 7.2 light years. A light year is about 63,241 AU, which is far outside the bounds of our solar system. Therefore, this statement is **false**.
3. **X and Y are farther apart than Y and Z.**
- Comparing the distances: 30.2 AU (X and Y) vs. 7.2 light years (Y and Z). Converting 7.2 light years into AU:
- 7.2 light years × 63,241 AU/light year ≈ 456,000 AU.
- Since 30.2 AU is much less than 456,000 AU, this statement is **false**.
4. **Y and Z are both present on Earth.**
- Given that Y and Z are 7.2 light years apart, it is impossible for both to be present on Earth at the same time. This statement is **false**.
Based on this analysis, the only statement that could be true is:
**X and Y are both within the solar system.**
1. **X and Y are both within the solar system.**
- The distance between X and Y is 30.2 AU (astronomical units). Since 1 AU is the average distance from the Earth to the Sun (~93 million miles), this distance is indeed within the solar system, making this statement **potentially true**.
2. **Y and Z are both within the solar system.**
- The distance between Y and Z is 7.2 light years. A light year is about 63,241 AU, which is far outside the bounds of our solar system. Therefore, this statement is **false**.
3. **X and Y are farther apart than Y and Z.**
- Comparing the distances: 30.2 AU (X and Y) vs. 7.2 light years (Y and Z). Converting 7.2 light years into AU:
- 7.2 light years × 63,241 AU/light year ≈ 456,000 AU.
- Since 30.2 AU is much less than 456,000 AU, this statement is **false**.
4. **Y and Z are both present on Earth.**
- Given that Y and Z are 7.2 light years apart, it is impossible for both to be present on Earth at the same time. This statement is **false**.
Based on this analysis, the only statement that could be true is:
**X and Y are both within the solar system.**