Question

Neptune is 30 AU (astronomical units) from the sun. How long, in light minutes, would it take for light from the sun to reach Neptune?

Answer 1

Answer:

250 light minutes takes

Explanation:

1 astonomical unit is equal to 1.50x10¹¹m

The light travels at the speed of 3.0x10⁸m/s. That means in 1 second, travels 3.0x10⁸m. To solve this question we must find the distance of neptune to the sun in meters. In this way we can find the seconds (And minutes) that need the light to travel from the sun to neptune:

Distance from Sun to neptune:

30AU * (1.50x10¹¹m / 1AU) = 4.5x10¹²m

Time transcurred:

4.5x10¹²m * (1s / 3.0x10⁸m) = 15000s

15000s * (1min / 60s) =

250 light minutes takes