Using scientific notation, show that it takes light from the Sun about 8 _ minutes to reach Earth. Solution t=d/v Given a distance (1 AU from the Sun to the Earth) and a speed (speed of light = 3x108 m/s), and asked to find a distance. t=d/v = 1.5*10^11/(3*1-^8) = 500 s= 8.33 min Thus, it takes sunlight 8.33 minutes to travel from the Sun to the Earth..