for a space ship, wouldn't the time it takes to get there be halved with every doubling of top speed meaning that to get there in 200,000 years it would have to be doubled once, and 100,000 doubled again, and so forth until it could be reached in 100 years or less. How many times would the top speed need to be doubled to make travel to it practicle? Is some sort of program in order to do this a good idea?
2007-05-01 09:58:45 · 4 answers · asked by Stan S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Since 2^12 = 4096, then 400000 / 2^12 < 100.
So, top speed would have to be doubled 12 times.
Note that, as you start to approach such fast speeds, Newtonian physics start to break down, and you need to switch to relativistic (Einsteinian) physics, so calculating time isn't quite as cut and dry any more.
2007-05-01 10:05:49 · answer #1 · answered by Tim M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
about 12
2007-05-01 10:06:54 · answer #2 · answered by Nick 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the planet and its solar system lies about 25 light years from us. that's flying at light speed for a constant 25 years. we have no way of traveling this fast, nor do we have any intentions yet. it is economically and physically impossible. scientists say it would take a near infinite amount of mass to create the energy needed to even approach light speed. we have no way of doing this.
2007-05-01 10:12:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why would you want to go there ? All we know is its temperature is close to earth's. It could have no atmosphere, be a gas giant or be covered in sulfuric acid. By the way, it's gravity is twice the earth's. You want to instantly double your weight ? And at shuttle speeds, it's 800,000 years away.
2007-05-01 10:04:54 · answer #4 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋