Question 1062982: A rocket leaves earth for the sun at a speed of 28,800 mph. At the same time a photon of light leaves the sun for the earth. If we assume they are on flight paths that allow them to meet, how far will the rocket be from earth when the photon of light hits it? (Assume a distance of 93,000,000 miles to the sun and round your answer to the nearest thousand miles.) (A rocket launched from earth will gradually build speed. For this problem, we will assume that the rocket travels at 28,800 mph the instant it leaves earth.)
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! A rocket leaves earth for the sun at a speed of 28,800 mph.
At the same time a photon of light leaves the sun for the earth.
If we assume they are on flight paths that allow them to meet, how far will the rocket be from earth when the photon of light hits it?
(Assume a distance of 93,000,000 miles to the sun and round your answer to the nearest thousand miles.)
(A rocket launched from earth will gradually build speed. For this problem, we will assume that the rocket travels at 28,800 mph the instant it leaves earth.)
:
Assume a photon travels at the speed of light, 186,000 mi/sec
Change the speed of the rocket to mi/sec also
 = 8 mi/sec
:
When the photon and the rocket meet, the sum of their distances is 93,000,000 mi
let t = the flight time for them meet
dist = speed * time
8t + 186000t = 93000000
186008t = 93000000
t = 
t = 499.9784955 sec
Find the distance the rocket travels in 499.9784955 sec
499.978455 * 8 = 3999.827 ~ 4000 mi when the photon strikes the rocket
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