odd sun problem

omegabustr · #1 08-30-2008, 11:36 PM

i was surprised to find this problem in my hwk since it seems to be more of a geometry problem almost...

the sun sets, fully disappearing over the horizon as you lie on the beach, your eyes 10 cm above the sand. you immediately jump up, your eyes now 130 cm above the sand, and you can again see the top of the sun. If you count the number of seconds (=t) until the sun fully disappears again, you can estimate the radius of the Earth. Use radius of earth, 6.38*10^3 km, to calculate the time (t).

Mr Fantastic · #2 09-03-2008, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omegabustr

i was surprised to find this problem in my hwk since it seems to be more of a geometry problem almost...

the sun sets, fully disappearing over the horizon as you lie on the beach, your eyes 10 cm above the sand. you immediately jump up, your eyes now 130 cm above the sand, and you can again see the top of the sun. If you count the number of seconds (=t) until the sun fully disappears again, you can estimate the radius of the Earth. Use radius of earth, 6.38*10^3 km, to calculate the time (t).

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