Estimate the diameter of the Moon. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon passes in front of the Sun so that during “totality” their apparent sizes match and the Moon blocks light from the Sun shining on the Earth. a) What do you predict the size of the Moon would be if you were to use a pinhole in an aluminum holder, meter stick, and white paper screen to project light from the full Moon through a pinhole onto a screen that is one meter away from the pinhole? b) Describe in detail how you would use this apparatus and your knowledge of pinhole phenomena to estimate the diameter of the Moon. Assume that the distance between the Earth and the Moon is 250,000 miles.

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
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Chapter25: Reflection And Refraction Of Light
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Estimate the diameter of the Moon.

During a total solar eclipse, the Moon passes in front of the Sun so that during “totality” their apparent sizes match and the Moon blocks light from the Sun shining on the Earth.

a) What do you predict the size of the Moon would be if you were to use a pinhole in an aluminum holder, meter stick, and white paper screen to project light from the full Moon through a pinhole onto a screen that is one meter away from the pinhole?

b) Describe in detail how you would use this apparatus and your knowledge of pinhole phenomena to estimate the diameter of the Moon. Assume that the distance between the Earth and the Moon is 250,000 miles.

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