Estimate the radius of the moon based on a solar eclipse given the distances between the earth and the moon, the earth and the sun, and the radius of the sun.
A diagram showing the moon directly between the earth and the sun is key here. If we call the radii of the sun and the moon rs and rm and the distances from earth Ds and Dm. respectively, there are similar triangles which can be analysed. the hypotenuse of both of the triangles is a straight line from earth tangential with both the moon and the sun, let the angle between this hypotenuse and the line of centres be 'a'. It is clear that tan(a) = rs/Ds = rm/Dm therefore rm=Dm*rs/Ds.
AM
Related PAT University answers
All answers ▸A function is defined piecewise f(x) = ( e^x for x<0, e^(-x) + 2x for x>= 0). Sketch f(x) and its first, second and third derivatives
Find all real solutions of (x^2 +4x +3)^(x^2 -6x+8) = 1
A matchbox of height h and uniform density stands on its end on a table with coefficient of friction μ. For accelerating it horizontally, at acceleration a, whilst upright, at which height y should the acceleration be applied?
Question below as would not fit in here