Question

A millionairess was told in 1992 that she had exactly 15 years to live. However, if she immediately takes off, travels away from the Earth at 0.8 c and then returns at the same speed, the last New Year's Day the doctors expect her to celebrate is:

Answer 1

Answer:

The expected year is 2017.

Explanation:

Total years that the millionaire to live = 15 years

Travel away from the earth at  = 0.8 c

This is a time dilation problem so if she travels at 0.8 c then her time will pass at slower. Below is the following calculation:

$T = \frac{T_o}{ \sqrt{1-\frac{V^2}{c^2}}} \\T = \frac{15}{ \sqrt{1-\frac{0.8^2}{c^2}}} \\T = 25 years$

Thus the doctors are expecting to celebrate in the year, 1992 + 25 = 2017