Approximately how long will it take light to travel to 1.7 AU in minutes? Use 3 × 108 m/s for the speed of light.

Question

please explain how to get the answer

 

Answer 1

An Astronomical Unit (AU) is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun, which is about 1.5 x 10¹¹ m.

 

distance = rate·time

distance/rate = time

• distance = 1.7 x 1.5 x 10¹¹ m
• rate = 3 x 10⁸ m/s

 

That will give the answer in seconds.  Divide by 60 to get the answer in minutes.