The speed of light is 3.00*108m/s. How long does it take for light to travel from Earth to the Moon and back again? Express your answer using two significant figures.

Question

Physics

Jaelynn Kline

18 December, 01:17

The speed of light is 3.00*108m/s. How long does it take for light to travel from Earth to the Moon and back again? Express your answer using two significant figures.

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Answers (1)

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Alvin · Answer 1

v = 3*10^8 m/s

s = 384,400 km = 3.84*10^8 m/s

t = ?

v = s/t = 2s/t

t = 2s/v

t = (2*3.84*10^8) : 3*10^8

t = 2.56 seconds

Explanation:

Earth's moon is the brightest object in our

night sky and the closest celestial body. Its

presence and proximity play a huge role in

making life possible here on Earth. The moon's gravitational pull stabilizes Earth's wobble on its axis, leading to a stable climate.

The moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical. At perigee - its closest approach - the moon comes as close as 225,623 miles (363,104 kilometers). At apogee - the farthest away it gets - the moon is 252,088 miles (405,696

km) from Earth. On average, the distance fromEarth to the moon is about 238,855 miles (384,400 km). According to NASA, "That means 30 Earth-sized planets could fit in between Earth and the moon."