Calculating the Speed of Light Around the Earth in One Day

In summary, the speed of light, denoted by the symbol c, is a fundamental constant of the universe and is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum. It was first measured by Danish astronomer Ole Rømer in 1676 using observations of the eclipses of Jupiter's moon Io. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, the speed of light is the ultimate speed limit in the universe and no object with mass can travel faster. It plays a crucial role in many technologies we use every day, such as fiber optic communication and satellite navigation. While current scientific understanding suggests that the speed of light has always been constant, some theories suggest it may have been different in the early stages of the universe's
  • #1
filo1111
2
0
Speed of light...question

I've just started physics and I'm having difficulty with this problem.I'd really appreciate some help with how to go about doing it!Thanks!

'The speed of light is 299800000 m/s. How many times could a light beam
travel around the Earth in one day (the radius of the Earth is 6370 km)'

Do I need to get the circumference of the Earth first?
 
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  • #2
yup get the circumference and distance covered by light in a day
 
  • #3
will try that!thanks!
 

FAQ: Calculating the Speed of Light Around the Earth in One Day

What is the speed of light?

The speed of light, denoted by the symbol c, is a fundamental constant of the universe and is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum. This means that light travels about 186,282 miles per second.

How was the speed of light first measured?

The first successful measurement of the speed of light was conducted by Danish astronomer Ole Rømer in 1676. He used observations of the eclipses of Jupiter's moon Io to calculate the time it took for light to travel from Jupiter to Earth.

Can anything travel faster than the speed of light?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, the speed of light is the ultimate speed limit in the universe. No object with mass can travel faster than the speed of light. However, there are still ongoing scientific debates and experiments exploring the possibility of faster-than-light travel.

How does the speed of light affect our daily lives?

Although it may seem like the speed of light has little impact on our daily lives, it actually plays a crucial role in many technologies we use every day. This includes fiber optic communication, satellite navigation, and even the functioning of our smartphones.

Has the speed of light always been constant?

According to current scientific understanding, the speed of light has been constant since the beginning of the universe. However, some theories suggest that the speed of light may have been different in the early stages of the universe's evolution. This is still an area of ongoing research and debate in the scientific community.

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