O Levels Physics (5054)•5054/12/O/N/24
Explanation
Assessing Accuracy of Solar System Orbital and Rotational Periods
Steps:
- Evaluate statement 1: Light travel time from Sun to Earth is distance (1.5 × 10^11 m) divided by speed of light (3 × 10^8 m/s), yielding ~500 seconds (8 minutes), not 3.0 × 10^8 seconds—incorrect.
- Evaluate statement 2: Earth's rotation period is 24 hours, matching one full axial spin—correct.
- Evaluate statement 3: Moon's orbital period around Earth is ~27.3 days (sidereal) or 29.5 days (synodic), approximately 1 month—correct.
- Identify correct statements: Only 2 and 3 align with astronomical facts.
Why C is correct:
- C selects statements 2 and 3, which match the defined periods of Earth's rotation (24 hours) and lunar orbit (~1 month) per standard astronomical observations.
Why the others are wrong:
- A includes incorrect statement 1, miscalculating light travel time via distance/speed formula.
- B includes incorrect statement 4, which reverses heliocentric model where Earth orbits Sun.
- D includes incorrect statement 4 and omits valid statement 2.
Final answer: C
Topic: The Solar System
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