Star A and Star B are at rest relative to Earth. Star A is 30 c · y from Earth,

Question

Star A and Star B are at rest relative to Earth. Star A is 30 c · y from Earth, and as viewed from Earth, Star B is located beyond (behind) Star A.

(a) A spaceship is making a trip from Earth to Star A at a speed such that the trip from Earth to Star A takes 15 y according to clocks on the spaceship. At what speed, relative to Earth, must the spaceship travel? (Assume that the times for the accelerations are very short compared to the overall trip time.)
  c

(b) Upon reaching Star A, the spaceship speeds up and departs for Star B at a speed such that the gamma factor, , is twice that of Part (a). The trip from Star A to Star B takes 5.1 y (spaceship's time). How far, inc · y is Star B from Star A in the rest frame of Earth and the two stars?
  c · y

(c) Upon reaching Star B, the spaceship departs for Earth at the same speed as in Part (b). It takes it 12 y (spaceship's time) to return to Earth. If you were born on Earth the day the ship left Earth and you remain on Earth, how old are you on the day the ship returns to Earth?
  y

Explanation / Answer

Star A and Star B are at rest relative to Earth. Star A is 30 c · y from Earth,

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse S
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.