Understanding Our Universe
Understanding Our Universe
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9780393614428
Author: PALEN, Stacy, Kay, Laura, Blumenthal, George (george Ray)
Publisher: W.w. Norton & Company,
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Chapter 1, Problem 1QAP
To determine

Whether the statement is true or false.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1QAP

The given statement is false.

Explanation of Solution

Light travels at a speed of 3×108m/s; it is the fastest speed in the universe. Light can travel in any medium or vacuum. The distance between two astronomical objects is so large that it is difficult to measure the distance in units of kilometres or meters.

Such large distances are measured in units of light years denoted by ly . 1 light-year is the distance travelled by light in 1 year; it is equal to 9.46×1015m . Mega is the prefix used to abbreviate 106 .

Here, the distance given is 1,000 ly but one mega-light-year is equal to 1,000,000 ly.

Conclusion:

Thus, one mega-light-year is not equal to 1,000 light years. Hence, the given statement is false.

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A light year (LY) is the distance that light travels in one year. 1 LY = 9.46x1015 m. Suppose we have detected a planet that orbits a star that is 104 light years away. How many millions of years would it take us to get there if we used a modern rocket with a maximum speed of 20.0 km/s (about 45,000 mph)? Assume 3 sig figs.
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