Question

The Milky Way has a diameter (proper length) of about 1.2×105 light-years. According to an astronaut, how many years would it take to cross the Milky Way if the speed of the spacecraft is 0.890 c?

Answer 1

t = 134834.31 years

Step-by-step explanation:

First we find the speed of the ship:

v = 0.890 c

where,

v = speed of the ship = ?

c = speed of light = 3 x 10⁸ m/s

Therefore, using the values, we get:

v = (0.89)(3 x 10⁸ m/s)

v = 2.67 x 10⁸ m/s

Now, we find the distance in meters:

Distance = s = (1.2 x 10⁵ light years)(9.461 x 10¹⁵/1 light year)

s = 11.35 x 10²⁰ m

Now, for the time we use the following equation:

s = vt

t = s/v

t = (11.35 x 10²⁰ m)/(2.67 x 10⁸ m/s)

t = (4.25 x 10¹² s)(1 h/3600 s)(1 day/24 h)(1 year/365 days)

t = 134834.31 years