Remember how in middle school you learned that speed x time = distance? Since that equation involves three quantities, if you know any two of them, you can calculate the third, right? you will use that equation to determine how long it would take you to fly to the sun assuming that you had an airplane that could magically fly through space. Assume that you're flying in your typical jumbo jet at a speed of 600 mi/hr or 268 m/s. The distance from the earth to the sun is approximately 150 million kilometers or 1.5 x 10^8 km. (The ^ symbol is used here to indicate that what follows is an exponent.) Before dividing the distance by the speed, you need to make sure that you're using consistent units. If you express the speed in meters per second (m/s), then the distance needs to be expressed in meters. So first convert the distance to meters; then divide. (i) What is the travel time? (Don't forget to include the units.)
Note: If you want to convert the time in seconds to the time in years, divide it by 31,600,000 seconds/year (or 3.16 x 10^7 s/yr) to get the time in years.
Speed: 600 mi/hr or 268 m/s
Distance: earth to the sun is approximately 150 million kilometers or 1.5 x 10^8 km
(ii) How old are you? 34
(iii) If you leave today on your trip to the sun, how old will you be when you get there? Speed x time = distance
(iv) If, after reaching the sun, you immediately turn around and fly back home, how old will you be when you get back?
(v) Would you mind taking such a trip? Why or why not?