Final answer:
To find the minimum and maximum distances from Earth to the Sun (perihelion and aphelion), we calculate them using Earth's semi-major axis of 149,598,000 kilometers and the eccentricity of 0.0167. The perihelion is 147,099,014 kilometers, and the aphelion is 152,096,986 kilometers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question revolves around finding the minimum (perihelion) and maximum (aphelion) distances from the Earth to the Sun, given the length of half of the major axis — also known as the semi-major axis — and the eccentricity of Earth's orbit. The semi-major axis (a) is 149,598,000 kilometers and the eccentricity (e) is 0.0167. The distance from the center of the ellipse, where Earth's orbit is, to the focus (c) is equal to the product of the semi-major axis and the eccentricity (c = ae).
The perihelion distance is the semi-major axis minus the distance c, resulting from the Earth being at the closest point to the Sun in its orbit. Conversely, the aphelion distance is the semi-major axis plus the distance c, when Earth is farthest from the Sun. Therefore, the perihelion (rp) can be calculated as rp = a - c, and the aphelion (ra) as ra = a + c.
Using the formula c = ae, we find that c is approximately 2,498,986 kilometers (149,598,000 km * 0.0167). Thus:
- Perihelion: rp = 149,598,000 km - 2,498,986 km = 147,099,014 kilometers
- Aphelion: ra = 149,598,000 km + 2,498,986 km = 152,096,986 kilometers