David W. answered 09/28/17
Tutor
4.7
(90)
Experienced Prof
First, information about the orbits:
Mercury is closer to the Sun than the Earth; its orbit is elliptical;
maximum distance from the Sun = 7*107km
Earth also has an elliptical orbit;
maximum distance from the Sun = 1.5*1011 km
The "maximum distance between the Earth and Mercury" is"
)max distance from Earth and Sun) + (diameter of Sun) + (maximum distance from Sun to Mercury)
Note: this assumes that distance from the Sun in measured from the centers.
So. 1.5*1011 + 7*107 [leave out diameter of um]
150,000,000,000 + 70.000.000 = 150.070.000,000 = 1.507*1011 km
This also assumes that the apogee or the Earth and of Mercury can occur opposite sides of the Sun.