A 26 year-old biologist makes a trip to study life forms in a distant planet 19
ID: 1501388 • Letter: A
Question
A 26 year-old biologist makes a trip to study life forms in a distant planet 19 light-years away. The round trip including a stay of 1 year in the distant planet takes 42 years according to the clock on earth. The biologist's son is 2.0 year-old when she left. Assume that the planet is not moving with respect to earth. How fast is the spaceship traveling? Give your answer in terms of the speed of light. You do not need to enter "c" as unit. the answer is 0.927
How old is she when she returns according to her clock?
42.4 yr
How old is her son according to the clock on earth?
44.0 yr
What is the total distance traveled according to the biologist? Give your answer in light-years. You do not need to enter the units. (the answer is not 14 ,14.28,15)
Explanation / Answer
t = 42 years
time spent by ship on travelling = 42 - 1 = 41 years
Total distance 19 * 2 = 38 light years.
Speed of spaceship = 38/41 = 0.927 c
Age of son = 42 + 2.0 = 44.0 years.
Total distance travelled, L = Lo * (1 - v^2/c^2)
L = 19*2 * (1 - 0.927^2)
L = 5.35 Light years
Total distance travelled according to the biologist = 5.35 Light years.
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