A laser beam is to be directed toward the center of the moon, but the beam strays 0.5 ◦ from its intended path.

Question

a) How far has the beam diverged from its assigned target when it reaches the moon? (The distance from
the earth to the moon is 240,000 miles.)

 

b) The radius of the moon is about 1,000 miles. Will the beam strike the moon?

Answer 1

Draw and label a diagram!

d / 240000 = tan 0.5°

 

You should be able to solve for d and answer?