Marks: 2
The time taken by the space craft moving at a speed equal to half the velocity of light to go from star A to star B is 2 years as calculated at the Earth station. Which of the following is correct for the time measured by the astronaut in the space craft to reach the star B?
Choose one answer.
a. 1 year
b. less than 2 years
c. 2 years
d. more than 2 years
To answer this question, we need to understand the concept of time dilation in special relativity. According to the theory of special relativity, time appears to move slower for an object in motion relative to an observer at rest. This effect is known as time dilation.
In this scenario, the space craft is traveling at a speed equal to half the velocity of light. The time taken by the space craft to go from star A to star B as calculated at the Earth station is 2 years.
Since the space craft is moving at a high speed relative to the Earth station, time dilation comes into play. According to time dilation, time appears to move slower for the moving object when compared to an observer at rest.
Therefore, the correct answer is d. more than 2 years. The astronaut in the space craft would measure more than 2 years for the time taken to reach star B. This is because the time appears to move slower for the astronaut due to their high-speed motion relative to the Earth station.