On the Moon's surface, lunar astronauts placed a corner reflector, off which a laser beam is periodically reflected. The distanc
e to the Moon is calculated from the round-trip time. The Earth's atmosphere slows down light. Assume the distance to the Moon is precisely 3.84 × 10 8 m 3.84×108 m , and Earth's atmosphere (which varies in density with altitude) is equivalent to a layer 25.0 km 25.0 km thick with a constant index of refraction n = 1.000293 n=1.000293 . What is the difference in travel time for light that travels only through space to the moon and back and light that travels through the atmosphere and space? difference in travel time:
1 answer:
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To solve the problem it is necessary to apply energy conservation.
By definition we know that kinetic energy is equal to potential energy, therefore
PE = KE
Where,
m = mass
g = gravitaty constat
v = velocity
h = height
Re-arrange to find h,
Replacing with our values
Therefore the correct answer is C.