SUMMARY
The Earth is approximately 1.494 × 1011 meters from the sun, which is equivalent to 149.6 million kilometers. This distance is calculated by multiplying the speed of light, 3 × 108 m/s, by the time it takes for light to travel from the sun to Earth, which is 498 seconds (8.3 minutes). The calculation confirms the established astronomical distance between the Earth and the sun.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of the speed of light (3 × 108 m/s)
- Basic knowledge of time conversion (minutes to seconds)
- Familiarity with scientific notation (e.g., 1.494e11)
- Ability to perform multiplication with large numbers
NEXT STEPS
- Research the implications of light travel time in astronomy
- Learn about the astronomical unit (AU) as a measurement of distance
- Explore the speed of light in different mediums
- Investigate the historical methods used to measure the distance from the Earth to the sun
USEFUL FOR
Students studying physics, astronomy enthusiasts, and anyone interested in understanding fundamental astronomical distances and the speed of light.