the distance from earth to mars ranges between 780,000,000 km and 380,000,000 km depending on the time of the year. the speed of like is 300,000 km/s. calculate the minimum time it takes for data transmitted by the mars surveyor to reach earth.

The minimum time, t = 21.11 m

Explanation:

Given,

The maximum distance between the Earth and Mars, d = 780,000,000 km

The maximum distance between the Earth and Mars, d = 780,000,000 km

The speed of the light, c = 300,000 km/s

The distance and speed of the object is related using the formula,

                           v = d / t

                            t = d / v

The minimum time it takes for data transmission is when the distance between the Mars and the Earth is at minimum.

Therefore,

                            t = 380,000,000 km / 300,000 km/s

                              = 1266.67 s

                              = 21.11 minutes

Hence, the minimum time it takes for data transmitted by the Mars Surveyor to reach earth, t = 21.11 minutes

one "light year" is the distance that light travels, through vacuum, in one julian year.   that's 365.25 days, of 24 hours each.