Problem 21
Question
Find the speed of light in feet per nanosecond, to three significant figures.
Step-by-Step Solution
Verified Answer
Answer: The speed of light is approximately 0.981 ft/ns.
1Step 1: Know the speed of light in meters per second
The speed of light in a vacuum is a constant value, approximately 2.99 x 10^8 meters per second.
2Step 2: Convert meters to feet
To convert meters to feet, we can use the conversion factor 1 meter = 3.281 feet. So, multiplying the speed of light in meters per second by the conversion factor will give us the speed of light in feet per second:
(2.99 x 10^8 m/s) x (3.281 ft/m) = 9.81 x 10^8 ft/s.
3Step 3: Convert seconds to nanoseconds
We know that 1 second = 10^9 nanoseconds. So to convert the speed of light from feet per second to feet per nanosecond, we will divide the speed of light in feet per second by 10^9:
(9.81 x 10^8 ft/s) / (10^9 ns/s) = 0.981 ft/ns
4Step 4: Round to three significant figures
Finally, rounding 0.981 feet per nanosecond to three significant figures, we get the result:
Speed of light ≈ 0.981 ft/ns
Other exercises in this chapter
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