Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 26 - Think and Discuss - Page 502-503: 88

Answer

See below.

Work Step by Step

Please see the diagram. The solid angle from the opening in the leaves to the image on the "screen" is the same as the angle between the opening and the Sun. The triangular shapes are similar. Just as 100 circular solar images fit between the opening and the screen, 100 suns would fit in the 150,000,000 km that is the distance between the opening and the sun's current position. The sun's actual average diameter is about 1,400,000 km, so this calculation is pretty close!
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