To determine how long it takes to travel 4.2 light-years, we need to consider that the speed of light is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.
Since light travels at a fixed speed, the time it takes to travel a certain distance can be calculated by dividing the distance by the speed of light.
To convert light-years to meters, we need to multiply by the number of meters in one light-year. According to scientific measurements, one light-year is approximately 9.461 trillion kilometers, or about 9.461 × 10^15 meters.
Therefore, to calculate the time it takes to travel 4.2 light-years:
Distance = 4.2 light-years = 4.2 × (9.461 × 10^15) meters
Time = Distance / Speed of light
Time = (4.2 × (9.461 × 10^15)) meters / 299,792,458 meters per second
Performing the calculation:
Time ≈ 1.394 × 10^14 seconds
To express the time in more practical units, we can convert seconds to years:
1.394 × 10^14 seconds ≈ 4.41 million years
Therefore, it would take approximately 4.41 million years to travel 4.2 light-years at the speed of light.