Assuming the accleration applied was constant, we have
Then the force applied to the ball is given by
Series circuits split the voltage of resistors, so if you see several diodes connected <em>in series </em>or all next to each other, just a complete loop, it will be in series.
Parallel circuits split the current of resistors, so if you see several diodes connected along different branches or pathways, it will be in parallel.
To convert km to AU, we divide 225,000,000 km by the factor of 1.5 x 10^8 = 150,000,000 km. This gives us 225,000,000 / 150,000,000 = 1.5 AU. Therefore, the distance between Earth and Mars in AU is 1.5 AU.
The AU is not equivalent to a light-year. A light-year is equivalent to around 9.5 x 10^12 kilometers.