Answer:
Distance = 3.69 × 10^9 m
The distance from the probe to Earth is 3.69 × 10^9 m
Explanation:
Distance from the probe to the Earth can be derived using the simple motion formula;
Distance = speed × time .....1
Since a radio signal uses an electromagnetic wave to transfer signal, it has the same speed as the speed of light.
Speed of radio signal = speed of light = 3.0 × 10^8 m/s
time taken to reach the earth = 12.3 seconds
Substituting the values of speed and time into equation 1;
Distance = 3.0 × 10^8 m/s × 12.3 s
Distance = 36.9 × 10^8 m
Distance = 3.69 × 10^9 m
Note: all electromagnetic radiation have the same speed which is equal to 3.0 × 10^8 m/s
