Source: Extra Practice

Which of the following units represents the largest distance?

Options

Option A

Astronomical Unit (AU)

Option B

Light-year (ly)

Option C is correct

Parsec (pc)

Option D

Kilometre (km)

Explanation

Let's compare the approximate values of these units:

  1. Kilometre (km): 1 km=103 m1 \text{ km} = 10^3 \text{ m}
  2. Astronomical Unit (AU): The average distance between the Earth and the Sun, 1 AU1.496×1011 m1 \text{ AU} \approx 1.496 \times 10^{11} \text{ m}
  3. Light-year (ly): The distance light travels in one year in a vacuum, 1 ly9.461×1015 m1 \text{ ly} \approx 9.461 \times 10^{15} \text{ m}
  4. Parsec (pc): The distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond, 1 pc3.086×1016 m1 \text{ pc} \approx 3.086 \times 10^{16} \text{ m} Comparing these values, 1 km<1 AU<1 ly<1 pc1 \text{ km} < 1 \text{ AU} < 1 \text{ ly} < 1 \text{ pc}. Therefore, the Parsec is the largest unit of distance among the given options.