To find out how many hours it will take before the asteroid hits Mars, we need to divide the distance between the asteroid and Mars by the rate at which the asteroid is moving towards Mars.
Distance = 3.311×10^8 miles
Rate = 7.7×10^4 mi./hr
Hours = Distance / Rate
Hours = (3.311×10^8 miles) / (7.7×10^4 mi./hr)
Simplifying the expression, we have:
Hours = (3.311/7.7) × (10^8/10^4)
Hours = 0.429 × 10^(8-4)
Hours = 0.429 × 10^4
Therefore, it will take approximately 0.429 × 10^4 hours before the asteroid hits Mars.
An asteroid is heading toward Mars at the rate of 7.7×104 mi./hr. If the asteroid is 3.311×108 miles away from Mars, how many hours will it be before it hits Mars? Write the answer in scientific notation, expressed to the exact decimal place.
1 answer