Light travels at a rate of 3.0 x 10^8 meters per second. If the earth is 1.5 x 10^11 meters away from the sun, how long does it take for light to travel from the sun to the earth?
a. 2.0 x 10^3 seconds
b. 4.5 x 10^19 seconds
c. 4.5 x 10^88 seconds
d. 5.0 x 10^2 seconds
e. 5.0 x 10^3 seconds
To calculate the time it takes for light to travel from the sun to the earth, we can use the formula:
Time = Distance / Speed
Given:
Distance = 1.5 x 10^11 meters
Speed = 3.0 x 10^8 meters/second
Plugging in the values:
Time = (1.5 x 10^11 meters) / (3.0 x 10^8 meters/second)
Time = 5.0 x 10^2 seconds
Therefore, it takes 5.0 x 10^2 seconds for light to travel from the sun to the earth. Option d. 5.0 x 10^2 seconds is the correct answer.