Question

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, with an average distance of 35,000,000 miles. It takes light about 3 minutes to travel from the Sun to Mercury. Neptune is the farthest, with an average distance of 28 x 10 miles from the Sun. How many times farther from the Sun is Neptune than Mercury? How long does it take light to reach Neptune? Follow the steps to find out. 1. Write the distance from the Sun to Mercury in scientific notation. Include units with your answer. 2. Write and simplify an expression showing how many times farther Neptune is from the Sun than Mercury. Write the result in scientific notation 3. How many times longer does it take light from the Sun to reach Neptune than Mercury? Express this number in standard notation. Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

I don't know the answer to 3.

1. 2765000000 or 2.765 x 10^9.

2. Between Neptune and Sun 2.8 x 10^9 miles which means Neptune is 80 miles further than Mercury.

3. ???

4. It would take 250 minutes, in hours 4.16.

I hope this helps! :D

Answer 2

Mercury - sun distance = 35,000,000 miles

Neptune-sun distance = 28x10= 280 miles

Time to travel from the Sun to Mercury = 3 minutes