If astronauts could travel at  v = 0.956c,  we on Earth would say it takes  (4.20/0.956) = 4.39  years to reach Alpha Centauri, 4.20 light-years away. The astronauts disagree. (a) How much time passes on the astronauts' clocks?  years (b) What is the distance to Alpha Centauri as measured by the astronauts?  light-years

Modern Physics
3rd Edition
ISBN:9781111794378
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Chapter1: Relativity I
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 28P
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If astronauts could travel at 

v = 0.956c,

 we on Earth would say it takes 

(4.20/0.956) = 4.39

 years to reach Alpha Centauri, 4.20 light-years away. The astronauts disagree.

(a) How much time passes on the astronauts' clocks?
 years

(b) What is the distance to Alpha Centauri as measured by the astronauts?
 light-years

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