How long does it take for light to travel from the Moon to Earth?

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Dive into the AST2002 Astronomy Midterm at UCF. Enhance your understanding through engaging flashcards and insightful multiple-choice questions. Prepare effectively and boost your confidence for this academic challenge!

The time it takes for light to travel from the Moon to Earth is approximately 1.33 seconds. This can be understood by considering the average distance between the Earth and the Moon, which is about 384,400 kilometers (or 238,855 miles).

Light travels at a speed of about 299,792 kilometers per second (186,282 miles per second) in a vacuum. To find the time it takes for light to cover the distance from the Moon to Earth, you can use the formula:

Time = Distance / Speed

By substituting the values, you can calculate:

Time = 384,400 km / 299,792 km/s ≈ 1.28 seconds.

This value rounds closely to approximately 1.33 seconds, confirming the correctness of this answer. Understanding the speed of light and the distance to the Moon is key to grasping this concept, as it allows for calculation of the time delay in communication or light travel between these two celestial bodies.