Question

1. the sun is 1.4 x 10^11 meters away. how long does it take for the sun light to reach earth in minutes? do the calculation.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the speed of light

The speed of light $c = 3\times10^{8}\text{ m/s}$.

Step2: Use the formula $t=\frac{d}{c}$

We know the distance $d = 1.4\times 10^{11}\text{ m}$, so $t=\frac{1.4\times 10^{11}}{3\times 10^{8}}\text{ s}$.
$t=\frac{1.4}{3}\times10^{11 - 8}\text{ s}=\frac{1.4}{3}\times10^{3}\text{ s}\approx466.67\text{ s}$.

Step3: Convert seconds to minutes

Since $1$ minute $ = 60$ s, then $t=\frac{466.67}{60}\text{ min}\approx7.78\text{ min}$.

Answer:

$7.78$ minutes