Chapter 1, Problem 1QAP

To determine

Whether the statement is true or false.

Answer to Problem 1QAP

The given statement is false.

Explanation of Solution

Light travels at a speed of $3\times {10}^8\text{m}/\text{s}$; it is the fastest speed in the universe. Light can travel in any medium or vacuum. The distance between two astronomical objects is so large that it is difficult to measure the distance in units of kilometres or meters.

Such large distances are measured in units of light years denoted by $\text{ly}$ . 1 light-year is the distance travelled by light in 1 year; it is equal to $9.46\times {10}^{15}\text{m}$ . Mega is the prefix used to abbreviate ${10}^6$ .

Here, the distance given is $1,000\text{ ly}$ but one mega-light-year is equal to $1,000,000\text{ ly}$.

Conclusion:

Thus, one mega-light-year is not equal to 1,000 light years. Hence, the given statement is false.