Note distances in the solar system are measure in \"AU\" (Astronomical Unit), wh

Question

Note distances in the solar system are measure in "AU" (Astronomical Unit), which is defined to be the average distance from the earth to the sun.

By the inverse square law, brightness of light drops off proportional to the square of the distance. Hence a planet which is 4 times further away from the sun than the earth will receive: (1 ) ^2 ={1/16) = 0.0625 times (i.e. 6.25%) as much light as the earth (per unit area).

Do the same calculation for the amount of light received at Pluto (40 AU distance). Give answer as a percentage.

Explanation / Answer

light recieved by pluto =1/(40)^2 =1/1600 =0.000625 =0.0625 %

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