NASA is sending a probe to Alpha Centauri and then to Sirius. A problem with the probe is noticed while it is at Alpha Centauri, so it must go back to Erth before going to Sirius. Alpha Centauri is 4.3 light-years away from Earth and Sirius is 8.6 light-years away. The probe is traveling at 18.03 km/s, there are 1.58125 x 10-5 light-years in one astronomical unit. How long will the probe have been traveling from when it first leaves Earth to when it arrives at Sirius?

Question

contestada

Respuesta :

shahnoorazhar3 shahnoorazhar3 · Answer 1 · 2020-02-16T06:56:39+01:00

Answer:

Time = 9.0252 *10^12 s

Step-by-step explanation:

Given:

- The distance from Earth to Alpha Centauri = 4.3 light years

- The distance from Earth to Sirius = 8.6 light years

- Speed of the probe is V = 18.03 km/s

- 1 AU = 1.58125 x 10-5 light-years

Find:

How long will the probe have been traveling from when it first leaves Earth to when it arrives at Sirius?

Solution:

- We will track probe for each destination it reaches one by one:

Earth ------> Alpha Centauri d_1 = 4.3 light years

Alpha Centauri ------> Earth d_2 =4.3 light years

Earth ------> Sirius d_3 = 8.6 light years

Total distance D = 17.2 light years.

- Now we know the total distance traveled by the probe is D. We will convert the distance into km SI units:

1 AU ------------------> 1.58125 x 10-5 light-years

x AU ------------------> 17.2 light years.

- Using direct proportions

x = 17.2 / (1.58125 x 10-5) = 1087747.036 AU

Also,

1 AU ---------------------> 149597870700 m

1087747.036 AU ----> D m

- Using direct proportions

D = 1087747.036*149597870700 = 1.62725*10^17 m

- Now use the speed - distance - time formula to compute the total time taken:

Time = Distance traveled (D) / V

Time = 1.62725*10^17 / 18.03*10^3

Answer: Time = 9.0252 *10^12 s