Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)
12th Edition
ISBN: 9780321909107
Author: Paul G. Hewitt
Publisher: PEARSON
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Textbook Question
Chapter 1, Problem 28RCQ
The shadow cast by a vertical pillar in Alexandria at noon during the summer solstice is found to be
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The shadow cast by a vertical pillar in Alexandria at noon during the summer solstice is found to be 1/8 the height of the pillar. The distance between Alexandria and Syene is 1/8 Earth’s radius. Is there a geometric connection between these two 1-to-8 ratios?
"Aristarchus' Method of Determining the Distance to the Sun"
At the first quarter of the Moon (at position Q), the angle (EQS) equals 90° (see the
sketch below). Modern observations show that the interval from new Moon (near position
N) to first quarter (at Q) is 35 minutes shorter than that from first quarter to full Moon
(near position F). Given that the lunar synodic period (the interval between two identical
lunar phases) is 29 days and 12.73 hours, estimate the Earth-Sun distance (ES) in terms of
the Earth-Moon distance.
F/
E
"Aristarchus' Method of Determining the Distance to the Sun"
At the first quarter of the Moon (at position Q), the angle (EQS) equals 90° (see the
sketch below). Modern observations show that the interval from new Moon (near position
N) to first quarter (at Q) is 35 minutes shorter than that from first quarter to full Moon
(near position F). Given that the lunar synodic period (the interval between two identical
lunar phases) is 29 days and 12.73 hours, estimate the Earth-Sun distance (ES) in terms of
the Earth-Moon distance.
Chapter 1 Solutions
Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)
Ch. 1 - Prob. 1RCQCh. 1 - Prob. 2RCQCh. 1 - When the Sun was directly overhead in Syene, why...Ch. 1 - Earth, like everything else illuminated by the...Ch. 1 - How does the Moon's diameter compare with the...Ch. 1 - Prob. 6RCQCh. 1 - Why did Aristarchus choose the time of a half Moon...Ch. 1 - What are the circular spots of light seen on the...Ch. 1 - What is the role of equations in this book?Ch. 1 - Outline some steps of the scientific method.
Ch. 1 - Distinguish among a scientific fact, a hypothesis,...Ch. 1 - In daily life, people are often praised for...Ch. 1 - What is the test for whether a hypothesis is...Ch. 1 - Prob. 14RCQCh. 1 - What test can you perform to increase the chance...Ch. 1 - Why are students of the arts encouraged to learn...Ch. 1 - Must people choose between science and religion?Ch. 1 - Psychological comfort is a benefit of having solid...Ch. 1 - Clearly distinguish between science and...Ch. 1 - Why is physics considered to be the basic science?Ch. 1 - Poke a hole in a piece of cardboard and hold the...Ch. 1 - Choose a particular day in the very near...Ch. 1 - What is the penalty for scientific fraud in the...Ch. 1 - Which of the following are scientific hypotheses?...Ch. 1 - Prob. 25RCQCh. 1 - Prob. 26RCQCh. 1 - What is probably being misunderstood by a person...Ch. 1 - The shadow cast by a vertical pillar in Alexandria...Ch. 1 - If Earth were smaller than it is, but the...Ch. 1 - The great philosopher and mathematician Bertrand...Ch. 1 - Bertrand Russell wrote, u I think we must retain...Ch. 1 - Your favorite young relative is wondering whether...
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- Mars' period (its "year") was noted by Kepler to be about 687 days (Earth days), which is (687d / 365 d) = 1.88 yr. Determine the distance of Mars from the Sun using the Earth as reference. (The distance of Earth from the Sun is 1.50 x 10 m) !3! Thu TMS IMS TE TES TES TE 2 28 x 10 m TES yr After reading and understanding the concept Gravity, please do the following problems: 1. What keeps a satellite up in its orbit around the Earth?arrow_forwardCalculate the hour angle at sunrise and sunset on June 21 and December 21 for surface inclined at an angle of 10 degrees and facing due south (γ=0 Degree).The surface is located in Mumbai(19 ⸰07’ N and 72⸰ 15’ E)?arrow_forwardOn the evening of an autumnal equinox day Siddhant noticed that Mars was exactly along the north-south meridian in his sky at the exact moment when the sun was setting. In other words, the Sun and Mars subtended an angle of exactly 90° as measured from the Earth. If the orbital radius of Mars is 1.52 au, What will be the approximate rise time of the mars on the next autumnal equinox day?arrow_forward
- What ancient evidence was found for a spherical Earth? (This question will show a checkbox next to each answer, and you must select ALL the correct answers and none of the wrong ones) the different angles of equinox shadows measured at cities in Egypt by Eratosthenes the curved shape of Earth's lunar eclipse shadow Circumnavigation of the earth the subtle curvature of the horizon sighted by the Greek astronomer, Metaxa The Pythagorean Theoremarrow_forwardThe mass of the moon is 7.35 x 10^22 kg and the mass of a person standing on the moon is 65 kg. If the equatorial radius of the moon is 1.74 x 10^6 m, what is the force of gravity (the weight) of the person?arrow_forwardAverage distance from Mars to the Sun: 1.524 x 106 A) using the fact that the sun subtends an angle of 0.5 degrees from the Earth, determine the angular size of the Sun from Mars.arrow_forward
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