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Chapter 1: Problem 17

A light-year is a measure of a. distance. b. time. c. speed. d. mass.

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. distance.

Step by step solution

01

Determine the Definition of a Light-Year

A light-year is defined as the distance that light travels in a vacuum in one year.
02

Analyze the Units Involved

Since a light-year measures the distance light travels over a period of one year, it involves units of distance rather than time, speed, or mass.
03

Identify the Correct Answer

By understanding the definition and the units involved, determine that the correct answer related to distance.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Distance Measurement
A light-year is a unit used to measure extremely large distances, typically in space. It represents the distance that light travels in one year. To grasp this better, think about the vastness of the universe and how regular units like kilometers or miles are not practical for such large distances. Instead, astronomers use the light-year.

For example, the nearest star to Earth, Proxima Centauri, is about 4.24 light-years away. This means the light we see from that star took 4.24 years to reach us.

Understanding the scale of a light-year helps us measure and comprehend the enormous distances between celestial objects efficiently.
Light Travel
Light travels incredibly fast. In a vacuum, it moves at roughly 299,792 kilometers per second (km/s). When we say that something is 'light-years' away, we're combining this speed with the concept of time.

To put this into perspective, light from the Sun takes about 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach Earth. So, when we observe the Sun, we are actually seeing it as it was 8 minutes ago.

This rapid speed is what makes light a reliable measurement tool for vast cosmic distances. By comprehending light's travel time, we can better appreciate and quantify the universe's vast expanse.
Astronomical Units
An astronomical unit (AU) is another distance measurement used in astronomy. One AU corresponds to the average distance between the Earth and the Sun, approximately 149.6 million kilometers.

Astronomers use AUs to simplify the relative distances within our solar system. For example, Jupiter is about 5.2 AUs from the Sun. While the light-year is ideal for interstellar distances, the AU is convenient for shorter, solar system-scale measurements.

Both units index the enormous scales we deal with in astronomy, making it easier to convey information about how far objects are from Earth.
Vacuum Travel
Light travels fastest in a vacuum, where there are no particles to slow it down. In space, which is a near-perfect vacuum, light can maintain its maximum speed of 299,792 km/s.

This constant and unimpeded speed is essential for accurately measuring distances. If light were to travel through a medium like water or air, its speed would decrease due to interactions with particles.

Thus, when we discuss a light-year, it is critical to note that this measurement is based on light traveling in a vacuum, ensuring consistent and precise distance calculations.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Occam's razor states that a. the universe is expanding in all directions. b. the laws of nature are the same everywhere in the universe. c. if two hypotheses fit the facts equally well, the simpler one is the more likely to apply. d. patterns in nature are really manifestations of random occurrences.

If a car is traveling at \(35 \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{h}\), how far does it travel in a. one hour? b. half an hour? c. one minute?

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