Question

A spaceship travels at a speed of 0.95c to the nearest star, Alpha Centauri, 4.3 light years (ly) away. How long does the trip take from the point of view of the passengers on the ship? A. 1.4 ly B. 1.0 ly C. 4.5 ly D. 14 ly E. 0.44

Answer 1

A 1.4ly

Explanation:

speed v= 0.95c c= speed of light distance t₀=4.3ly

As per the time dilation priciple we know that

`t=t_(0)\sqrt {\frac {c^2 -v^2}{c^2}}`

`\Rightarrow t=4.3\sqrt {1-0.95^2}`

t=1.4 ly

therefore, it will take 1.4ly for the trip from the point of view of passenger on ship. ly here is light year.