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30 August, 06:31

A space probe is sent to the vicinity of the star Capella, which is 42.2 light-years from the earth. (A light-year is the distance light travels in a year.) The probe travels with a speed of 0.9930c. An astronaut recruit on board is 19 years old when the probe leaves the earth. What is her biological age when the probe reaches Capella?

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  1. 30 August, 06:35
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    Her current biological age = 24.02 years

    Explanation:

    From time dilation equation, we know that;

    t = t_o * [√ (1 - (v²/c²)) ]•L_o

    Where;

    t = dilated time

    t_o = stationary time

    v = the speed of the moving object

    c = the speed of light in a vacuum

    First, let's convert the rest time (t_o) from light years to years.

    Thus;

    t_o = [c/0.993c] * [42.2]

    c will cancel out and we now have;

    t_o = 42.5 years

    Since t = t_o * [√ (1 - (v²/c²)) ]

    Thus; t = 42.5 * [√ (1 - (0.993²c²/c²)) ]

    t = 42.5/[√ (1 - (0.993²)) ]

    t = 42.5 * 0.1181

    t = 5.02 years

    Since the astronaut was 19 years old when the probe left the earth, thus;

    Her current biological age now the probe has reached Capella, will be;

    19 + 5.02 = 24.02 years
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