Physics – 6.2.2 Stars | e-Consult

Given: Speed of spacecraft = 0.005c, Time = 2.5 years, 1 light-year = 9.5 × 10¹⁵ m

Calculation:

Speed of spacecraft = 0.005 × (3.0 × 10⁸ m/s) = 1.5 × 10⁶ m/s

Distance travelled = Speed × Time

Distance in metres = (1.5 × 10⁶ m/s) × (2.5 years × 365.25 days/year × 24 hours/day × 60 minutes/hour × 60 seconds/minute)

Distance in metres ≈ 1.32 × 10¹⁵ m

Distance in light-years = (1.32 × 10¹⁵ m) / (9.5 × 10¹⁵ m/light-year)

Distance in light-years ≈ 0.138 light-years

Answer: The spacecraft travels approximately 0.138 light-years, which is equivalent to approximately 1.32 × 10¹⁵ metres.