- #1
Chemp_93
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Homework Statement
Estimate the deflection of starlight by sun using an elementary analysis.
gsun = 275 meters / sec2
Diameter of sun = 1.4 * 109 meters.
In the following, assume that the light just grazes the surface of Sun in passing.
A) Determine an "effective time of fall" from the diameter of Sun and speed of light. From this time of fall deduce the net velocity of fall toward Sun produced by the end of the whole period of gravitational interaction.
Homework Equations
C = 3*108 meters/ second
The Attempt at a Solution
This is an odd problem so I have the correct answer.
A) By dimensional analysis and by what is given this is what I did (and got the right answer, but why is this the right answer?)
Diametersun / C = effective time fall = 4.67 seconds (which is correct).
So I imagine the light traveling horizantally to the right (+x direction), then once it grazes the sun it bends slightly towards the -y direction.
But how is the time for this to occur related to the Diameter of the sun??