Question
The furthest object in our solar system is named Sedna. Sedna is 0.001374 light years away from earth. It would take the space shuttle 19,145.48 days to get there.
Which of the following is accurate if the space shuttle were traveling at the speed of light?
It would take less than 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.
It would take 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.
It would take more than 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.
It would take 19,000 days for light from the edge of the solar system to reach the space shuttle.
Which of the following is accurate if the space shuttle were traveling at the speed of light?
It would take less than 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.
It would take 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.
It would take more than 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.
It would take 19,000 days for light from the edge of the solar system to reach the space shuttle.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To determine how long it would take for light to travel a distance of 0.001374 light years, we can use the fact that light travels at a constant speed of 1 light year per year.
1. **Calculate the time it takes light to travel 0.001374 light years**:
Since light travels 1 light year in 1 year, it will take light approximately 0.001374 years to travel 0.001374 light years.
2. **Convert years to days**:
To convert this time into days, we multiply by the number of days in a year (approximately 365.25, accounting for leap years):
\[
0.001374 \text{ years} \times 365.25 \text{ days/year} \approx 0.502 \text{ days}
\]
Thus, it would take light approximately 0.502 days (or about 12.05 hours) to reach Sedna from Earth.
3. **Interpreting the statements**:
- **It would take less than 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.** (Correct, because light takes only about 0.502 days.)
- **It would take 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.** (Incorrect.)
- **It would take more than 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.** (Incorrect.)
- **It would take 19,000 days for light from the edge of the solar system to reach the space shuttle.** (Incorrect, as it takes much less time.)
Therefore, the accurate statement is:
**It would take less than 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.**
1. **Calculate the time it takes light to travel 0.001374 light years**:
Since light travels 1 light year in 1 year, it will take light approximately 0.001374 years to travel 0.001374 light years.
2. **Convert years to days**:
To convert this time into days, we multiply by the number of days in a year (approximately 365.25, accounting for leap years):
\[
0.001374 \text{ years} \times 365.25 \text{ days/year} \approx 0.502 \text{ days}
\]
Thus, it would take light approximately 0.502 days (or about 12.05 hours) to reach Sedna from Earth.
3. **Interpreting the statements**:
- **It would take less than 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.** (Correct, because light takes only about 0.502 days.)
- **It would take 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.** (Incorrect.)
- **It would take more than 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.** (Incorrect.)
- **It would take 19,000 days for light from the edge of the solar system to reach the space shuttle.** (Incorrect, as it takes much less time.)
Therefore, the accurate statement is:
**It would take less than 19,000 days to reach the outer limits of the solar system.**