$4$ . Find the total distance from Mercury to Earth.

Full solution

4

. Find the total distance from Mercury to Earth.

Identify Distances: Identify the average distances from the Sun to Mercury and Earth. $\newline$ Average distance from Sun to Mercury: $57.9$ million km. $\newline$ Average distance from Sun to Earth: $149.6$ million km.
Calculate Total Distance: Calculate the total distance from Mercury to Earth when they are on the opposite sides of the Sun. $\newline$ Total distance = Distance from Sun to Mercury + Distance from Sun to Earth. $\newline$ Total distance = $57.9$ million km + $149.6$ million km. $\newline$ Total distance = $207.5$ million km.
Understand Orbital Changes: Realize that the planets orbit the Sun and their relative positions change. The actual distance between Mercury and Earth varies depending on their positions in their orbits.
Estimate Total Distance: Use the average distances to estimate the total distance. $\newline$ Since we don't have the specific positions, we'll use the average distances calculated in step $2$ .
Check Math Errors: Check for any math errors in the previous calculations. $\newline$ Re-check addition: $57.9$ million km $+$ $149.6$ million km $=$ $207.5$ million km. $\newline$ No math errors detected.