To find out how many hours it will be before the asteroid hits Mars, we can use the formula:
\[ \text{Time} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Speed}} \]
Given:
- Distance to Mars = \(3.311 \times 10^8\) miles
- Speed of the asteroid = \(7.7 \times 10^4\) miles/hr
Now, we can substitute these values into the formula:
\[ \text{Time} = \frac{3.311 \times 10^8 \text{ miles}}{7.7 \times 10^4 \text{ miles/hr}} \]
Calculating the above expression:
- Calculate the quotient:
\[ \text{Time} = \frac{3.311 \times 10^8}{7.7 \times 10^4} = \frac{3.311}{7.7} \times \frac{10^8}{10^4} \]
- Calculate \( \frac{3.311}{7.7} \):
\[ \frac{3.311}{7.7} \approx 0.430 \]
- Calculate \( \frac{10^8}{10^4} \):
\[ \frac{10^8}{10^4} = 10^{8-4} = 10^4 \]
- Now multiply these results:
\[ \text{Time} \approx 0.430 \times 10^4 \approx 4300 \text{ hours} \]
Thus, it will take approximately 4300 hours for the asteroid to hit Mars.