PHY 108 Ohlone College Survey of Physics Problems Worksheet

Research a method for each of the following measurements. These method should be as simple as they can be ? Implementable 2,500 years ago ?I. Estimate the diameter of the moonHint: Recall Aristarchus (notes and book)II. Estimate the distance Earth-MoonHint: Extend your arm, the width of your little pinky covers about 1 degree out of 360 degrees. How many moons can you fit in?III. Estimate the ratio of the diameter of the Sun over its distanceHint: Recall the pinhole method (book and notes) or remember that during an eclipse, the moon exactly covers the sun…IV. Estimate the distance Earth-SunHint: Google the parallax method or the method used by Aristarchus