If a laser light pulse was sent toward the Moon and some of this light were to be reflected toward Earth from retroreflectors left on the Moon by astronauts, how long after the transmission of the initial flash would the reflected light be detected through a telescope on Earth?
A) 2.56 microseconds
B) 2.56 seconds
C) 1.28 seconds
D) 1.28 milliseconds

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is about 384,400 kilometers. Light travels at a speed of approximately 299,792 kilometers per second. Therefore, the time for light to travel to the Moon and back is calculated as (384,400 km * 2) / 299,792 km/s, which equals approximately 2.56 seconds.

If a Laser Light Pulse Was Sent Toward the Moon