Question

Light travels at 2.999 x 10^8 m/sec in a vacuum. calculate the distance light travels (miles) in one year.

Answer 1

Answer: The distance light travels (miles) in one year is
`5.86* 10^(12) miles`

Step-by-step explanation:

Speed of the light,S =
`2.999* 10^(8) m/s`

Distance covered in 1 year = D

Time taken by the light,T = 1 year =
`1* 365* 24* 60* 60 seconds=3.15* 10^(7) seconds`

`Distance=Speed* Time=D=S* T`:

`2.999* 10^(8) m/s* 3.15* 10^(7)seconds=9.44685* 10^(15)m`

1 m = 0.000621 miles

`9.44685* 10^(15)* 0.000621 miles =5.86* 10^(12) miles`

The distance light travels (miles) in one year is
`5.86* 10^(12) miles`

Answer 2

9.464x10^15 m/year First, let's calculate how many seconds there is in an year. For a year, I'll use the value of 365.25 days (to account for leap years). So we have 365.35 day/year * 24 hour/day * 60 minute/hour * 60 second/minute = 31557600 sec/year Now multiply by the speed of light. So: 31557600 sec/year * 2.999x10^8 m/sec = 9.4641242x10^15 m/year Rounding to 4 significant figures gives 9.464x10^15 m/year.