Question
8. The speed of light is 3times 10^8m/s How far will an electromagnetic wave (light) trave in one year (answer in meters). This distance is known as a lightyear. Conversions: 1 year =365 days 1day=24hours 1 hour = 60 min 1min=60s
Solution
4.5
(320 Votes)
Montgomery
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
Here's how to calculate the distance light travels in one year:1. **Calculate the number of seconds in a year:*** Seconds in a minute: 60 s* Seconds in an hour: 60 min/hour * 60 s/min = 3600 s/hour* Seconds in a day: 24 hours/day * 3600 s/hour = 86400 s/day* Seconds in a year: 365 days/year * 86400 s/day = 31,536,000 s/year2. **Calculate the distance light travels in one year:*** Distance = Speed x Time* Distance = (3 x 10⁸ m/s) * (31,536,000 s)* Distance = 9.4608 x 10¹⁵ metersTherefore, light travels approximately 9.4608 x 10¹⁵ meters in one year. This distance is known as a light-year.