Q62. - Algebra 2

Question

Earth is an average $1.496\times {10}^8$ kilometres from the Sun. If light travels $3\times {10}^5$ kilometres per second, how long does it take sunlight to reach Earth?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The time taken by the sunlight to reach Earth is 498.66 seconds.

Step 1. Given Information.

Given, Earth is an average $1.496\times {10}^8$ kilometres from the Sun and light travels $3\times {10}^5$ kilometres per second. The time taken by the sunlight to reach Earth is to be determined.

Step 2. Explanation .

Here the given distance between Earth and Sun is $1.496\times {10}^8$ kilometers.

And, the speed of light is $3\times {10}^5$ kilometers per second.

Time taken is given by the ratio between distance and speed.

$\begin{array}{l}\text{time}=\frac{\text{distance}}{\text{speed}}\\ t=\frac{1.496\times {10}^8}{3\times {10}^5}\\ t=\frac{1496\times {10}^5}{3\times {10}^5}\\ t=498.66\end{array}$

Step 3. Conclusion .

Hence the time taken by the sunlight to reach Earth is 498.66 seconds.