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Astronaut Rachel leaves Earth in a spaceship at a speed of 0.960c relative to an

ID: 1512383 • Letter: A

Question

Astronaut Rachel leaves Earth in a spaceship at a speed of 0.960c relative to an observer on Earth. Rachel's destination is a star system 14.4 light-years away (one light-year is the distance light ravels in one year). According to Rachel, how long does this trip take?

A) 14 Years
B) 15 Years
C) 11 Years
D) 4.2 Years
E) 23 Years

This question has been posted several times but the answers are always different (15 or 4.2 years). Please help, this test is under the chapter of Early Quantom Theory and Models of the Atom.

Explanation / Answer

length contraction
L = L0 (1-v^2 /c^2 )^1/2
L = (14.4 ly) (1-(0.960^2 ))^1/2
  = 4.032 ly

(4.032ly)c/(0.960c) = 4.20 ly

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