Question

A laser pulse takes 2.56 seconds to travel from Earth to the Moon and return. Use this to calculate how far away the Moon is. How might this time delay affect conversations between an astronaut on the Moon and someone back on Earth

Answer 1

Answer:

$x = 3.84\times 10^{5}\,km$

This delay affect conversations in the sense that recipient will be receive the message just 2.56 seconds after the message was sent.

Explanation:

The laser pulse has an ondulatory nature as electromagnetic wave, which can travel in the void. Speed of light is constant and distance between Earth and the Moon is:

$x = 0.5\cdot c\cdot \Delta t$

$x = 0.5\cdot (3\times 10^{5}\,\frac{km}{s})\cdot (2.56\,s)$

$x = 3.84\times 10^{5}\,km$

This delay affect conversations in the sense that recipient will be receive the message just 2.56 seconds after the message was sent.