Question

Length of Day on Pluto A day on Pluto lasts 6.39 times longer than a day on Earth. If an Earth day lasts $24\mathrm{h}$, how many hours is a day on Pluto?

Short answer

153.36 hours

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Problem

The problem asks for the length of a day on Pluto in hours, given that a day on Pluto is 6.39 times longer than a day on Earth. We know an Earth day lasts 24 hours.

Set Up the Equation

To find out how long a day on Pluto is in hours, we need to multiply the length of a day on Earth by how many times longer it is on Pluto. Therefore, we need to calculate $24\times 6.39$.

Perform the Calculation

Multiply 24 by 6.39 to find the total hours in a Pluto day: $24\times 6.39=153.36$.

State the Result

The calculation shows that a day on Pluto is 153.36 hours long.

Key concepts

Earth day length

The length of a day on Earth is a fundamental concept crucial for understanding time. Most of us know that one day consists of 24 hours. This period represents the rotation of Earth on its axis, taking it from one sunrise to the next.
But what does this rotation mean in a broader sense?

• Earth rotates counterclockwise, leading to the familiar pattern of day and night.
• This 24-hour cycle is what structures our 24-hour clock system.
• The precise length of an Earth day can slightly vary due to factors like the gravitational pull of the moon.

Understanding the Earth day length the foundation for comparing it to other planetary days, like Pluto's.

multiplication calculation

Multiplication is a basic arithmetic operation used to calculate an unknown total by combining equal groups. In the context of determining the length of a day on Pluto, multiplication helps us extend known information.
By knowing that Pluto's day is 6.39 times longer than Earth's, we set up a multiplication calculation:

• This involves multiplying the earth's day length (24 hours) by 6.39.
• The operation is represented by the equation: $24\times 6.39$.
• Make sure to follow multiplication steps carefully, aligning numbers and ensuring each digit is correctly multiplied.

Once you calculate $24\times 6.39$, you find it equals 153.36.
This result paints a more intuitive picture of how long a day on Pluto truly is.

comparison of planetary days

Comparing the length of days on different planets allows us to understand the diversity of our solar system. Each planet rotates on its axis at a unique speed.
When comparing Earth and Pluto,

• Earth’s day lasts 24 hours, providing a baseline for measurement.
• In contrast, Pluto's day is 153.36 hours long due to its slower rotation.
• This results in Pluto experiencing longer periods of daylight and darkness compared to Earth.

The concept of different day lengths reflects not only rotation speeds but also how distance and size can influence astronomical bodies.
Such comparisons are helpful for astronomers studying planetary environments and for anyone curious about the universe's complexity.