Here's the question
A rocket leaves Earth going 28800 mph. at the same time, a photon of light leaves the sun going the same speed. If they are on flight paths that allow them to meet and the distance from the sun to the earth is 93000000 miles, how long will it take to collide? Rockets from the earth gain 1mph every second accelerated in space.
2007-04-26 10:31:19 · 10 answers · asked by Albert 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
PS
I didn't mean IQ, i meant that you'd be really good at mathematics
2007-04-26 10:36:45 · update #1
btw, i know the answer, and those are wrong. How could it take 8.1 minutes to hit the rocket if it takes 8 minutes for light to reach the earth?!
2007-04-26 10:42:29 · update #2
Sounds more like you want us to do you math homework for you
2007-04-26 10:38:40 · answer #1 · answered by g_tastyfish 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Assuming that when you say mph you mean 'miles pero hour':
photons don't travel at 28800 mph, they travel at 670,616,629 miles per hour!
Anyways, lets see. Assuming that somehow the photon is traveling at 28800mph:
A gain of 1mph per second implies an acceleration of
Now, we have 3 equations:
d1 = Vo*t + (1/2)*a*t*t
d2 = 93000000 - d1 <---Hope you are able to see that.
d2 = Vop*t
so
93000000 - d1 = Vop*t
Note that now we have 2 equations and 2 unknowns, so it should be pretty straight fordward:
-d1 = 28800*t - 93000000
d1 = 28800*t + (1/2)(3600)*t*t
------------------------------------------------
0 = 1800*t*t + 57600*t - 93000000
t = -(57600) +- sqrt(3,317,760,000 + 669,600,000,000)
t = -57600 +- 820,315.647
t1 = 762,715.647
t2 = -877 915.647 <---note negative sign, so we discard.
So it takes 7.6272 x 10^(5) hours
PS.
1- Don't know if it's good or bad, cause I did it all on the computer, but this is level 1 physics!
2- Yes, physic's books tend to have the answer on the back.
2007-04-26 11:08:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You just said that a photon of light left the sun going 28800 mph. Can't do it: light travels at the speed of light - which is - um - somewhat faster than that! So your entire question is fatally flawed.
2007-04-26 10:38:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since my IQ is over 140, I would be lowering myself to answer it.
Are you measuring the distance from the sun from the chromosphere, photosphere, corona??? Do we have to take into consideration any relativistic influences? It could make a difference in the 15th or 16th decimal point. Also, photons travel a bit faster than 28.8k mph.
2007-04-26 10:42:33 · answer #4 · answered by Bruce D 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
ummm a photon of light will travel at the speed of light, 186,000 miles per *second*
That light will reach the earth in 8.3 minutes
At a relatively piddly 28800 miles per *hour* the collision will occur in 8.120884.. minutes
and yes, I am a mensa member
2007-04-26 10:38:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymoose 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Uh, photon travel at 186,000 mps. You can never get a photon in the vacuum of space to slow down to 28,800 mph.
Did I miss something?
2007-04-26 10:52:03 · answer #6 · answered by Owl Eye 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have an IQ of more than 140, so I guess I'm overqualified to answer the question.
2007-04-26 14:59:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'd also have to be psychic since you never said what direction the rocket was heading.
2007-04-26 11:21:18 · answer #8 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hate to break it to you, but mathematics aren't the only measurable form of intelligence.
2007-04-26 10:35:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, that's just your homework. Do you it yourself.
2007-04-26 10:38:47 · answer #10 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋