How fast does light travel from sun to Saturn equation

AI Thread Summary
The distance from the Sun to Saturn is approximately 8.9x10^8 miles, and the speed of light is about 1.9x10^5 miles per second. To calculate the time it takes for light to travel this distance, the equation Time = Distance / Speed can be used. By dividing the distance by the speed of light, the correct time in seconds can be determined. Understanding the relationship between distance, speed, and time is crucial for solving such problems effectively.
_emmakala
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1. the distance between the sun and Saturn is approx. 8.9x10^8 mi. The speed of light is approx. 1.9x10^5 miles per second.
How long does it take light to travel from the sun to Saturn?
Answer in units of seconds.



Homework Equations





3. The Attempt at a Solution
I have tried multiplying the two, dividing the two, and adding the two, and converting. I am utterly lost, and would appreciate any help anyone could offer! :)
 
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Time * Speed = Distance

So:

Time = ?

_emmakala said:
I have tried multiplying the two, dividing the two, and adding the two, and converting.

I don't advise trying to get the answer randomly (by random, I mean, without logic)

There are simply wayyy toooo many options that it is very unlikely you will find the answer that way
(and what about when you don't have an answer sheet?)
 
Ok, so assuming I kinda understand now, would I set up the equation like T x 1.9x10^5miles/sec = 8.9x10^8 miles? Then divide the speed and the distance to get time?
 
It's like this: I'm 10 miles from town. I'm walking at 2 miles per hour. How many hours will it take me to walk 10 miles?
 
_emmakala said:
Ok, so assuming I kinda understand now, would I set up the equation like T x 1.9x10^5miles/sec = 8.9x10^8 miles? Then divide the speed and the distance to get time?

Your equation is correct. Your idea of dividing them is a correct one as well, but it is not clear where you got it from, so it is hard to tell if you found it in some systematic way (always preferred) or just by randomly juggling (which occasionally gives correct results).

Please elaborate on why you did it this way.
 
When you have no idea how to proceed, one thing to try is to look at the units of the things you know and the thing you are looking for. There will often be only one way to combine the things you know to get what you are looking for. Here, you know the speed (L/T), and the distance (L), and you are looking for the time (T) (with L being length and T being time, in whatever system of units you are using). How can you combine L/T and L in order to end up with T?
 
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