1 light second in kilometers
Understand the Problem
The question is asking how far light travels in one second, measured in kilometers. To determine this, we can use the speed of light, which is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second.
Answer
$299,792$ kilometers
Answer for screen readers
The distance light travels in one second is $299,792$ kilometers.
Steps to Solve
- Identify the speed of light
The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately $299,792$ kilometers per second. This is the key piece of information we need.
- Determine time in seconds
Since we want to find out how far light travels in one second, we note that the time $t$ is $1$ second.
- Calculate the distance traveled in one second
To find the distance $d$, we can use the formula:
$$ d = speed \times time $$
Substituting in the values we have:
$$ d = 299,792 \text{ km/s} \times 1 \text{ s} $$
- Final calculation
Now, multiply the speed by the time:
$$ d = 299,792 \text{ km} $$
The distance light travels in one second is $299,792$ kilometers.
More Information
The speed of light is not only a fundamental constant in physics, but it also plays a crucial role in theories of relativity. It's fascinating to note that light travels faster than anything else in the universe, which makes it a critical factor in understanding time and space.
Tips
- One common mistake is confusing units of measurement, such as trying to calculate distance in meters instead of kilometers. Always ensure you're working with the same units.
- Another mistake is miscalculating or forgetting to multiply by the time (in this case, one second) when determining distance.
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