Q17. - Algebra 2

Question

Refer to Example 7 on page 225. The average distance from Earth to the Moon is about $3.84\times {10}^8$  meters. How long would it take a radio signal traveling at the speed of light to cover that distance?

 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The time taken for a radio signal traveling at the speed of light to cover that distance is 1.28 seconds.

Step 1. Given Information.

Given light travels at a speed of about $3.00\times {10}^8\text{ m/s}$ . The average distance from Earth to the Moon is about  $3.84\times {10}^8$ meters. 

The time taken for a radio signal traveling at the speed of light to cover that distance is to be determined.

Step 2. Explanation .

The time taken to cover a distance d at a speed s is given by$t=\frac{d}{s}$  .

Plugging the values in the equation:

$\begin{array}{l}t=\frac{d}{s}\\ t=\frac{3.84\times {10}^8}{3.00\times {10}^8}\\ t=1.28\text{ seconds}\end{array}$

Step 3. Conclusion .

Hence, the time taken for a radio signal traveling at the speed of light to cover that distance is 1.28 seconds.