The space shuttle orbits the Earth at a speed of 8.1 km/s. If it were possible to fly the space shuttle at this velocity to the nearest star to the sun, calculate how many years would be required for the trip (one way). The sun is 1.3 parasecs distant, where 1 parsec=3.26 light years (a light year is the distance light travels in one year), and the speed of light is 3.00x10^8m/s.
I'm quite confused on how to do this problem. Can someone help me please!!!! :) Thank You!
2007-09-18 11:25:57 · 4 answers · asked by Natlsn12009 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
simplify the problem by changing to like terms
Total distance in km = 1.3 x 3.26x 300000x 3600 x24 x365
=40094870400000 km
At 8.1 km/sec
trip time
= 156962.96 years approx.
Pack light!!
2007-09-18 11:41:08 · answer #1 · answered by Azalian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
speed of light is 3X10^8 m/s = 3X10^5km sec
So speed of light is 3X10^5/8.1 = 37,037faster than space shuttle. So it wold take space shuttle 37037*3.26 = 120,741 years to get to the nearest star from the sun.
2007-09-18 18:45:14 · answer #2 · answered by ironduke8159 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
holy ****
i have no idea
2007-09-18 18:33:35 · answer #3 · answered by x 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
um.....
2007-09-18 18:36:48 · answer #4 · answered by OhiosGirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋