Explaining Earth's Orbit Using a Geocentric Reference Frame

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around explaining Earth's orbit using a geocentric reference frame, where the Earth is considered at the center and the Sun revolves around it. Participants are exploring the implications of this model in the context of gravitational forces and centripetal motion.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the validity of a geocentric model and its implications on the motion of the Sun and Earth. There are attempts to relate gravitational and centripetal forces, with some participants expressing confusion about the setup and the expected diagram.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their interpretations and questioning the assumptions behind the geocentric frame. Some have provided mathematical expressions related to gravitational and centripetal forces, while others are seeking clarification on the problem's requirements.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the interpretation of the term "geocentric" in the question, with some participants suggesting it may refer to a specific historical model rather than a modern understanding of orbits.

stunner5000pt
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Given the sun's mass (Ms = 2 x 10^30 kg) then Earth sun distnace (1.5 x 10^11 m) Newtons Constant G = 6.7 x 10^-11 Nm^2 kg^-2 use a GEOCENTRIC frame to explain the Earth's orbit (approcximate as a circle)

This was a question on my test and at first sight i was shocked.

But geocentric... if geocentric then the Earth would be at the centre and the sun would revolve around the sun. Would the sun have its own circular orbit around orbit as well?

AAANy help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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can anyone offer any kind of help with this question??

so far i have been thinking and thinking (and thinking...) i have no clue. Would the diagram for this look like the one posted here?
 

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this is my effort so farr

the force between the sun an the Earth is [tex]F_{g} = G \frac{m_{sun} m_{earth}}{r^2}[/tex]

the centripetal force of the sun is [tex]F_{C1} = m_{sun} \frac{v_{1}^2}{r_{1}}[/tex]

But since the sun is revolving around some axis it also experiences anotehr centripetal force [tex]F_{C2} = m_{sun} \frac{v_{2}^2}{r_{2}}[/tex]

equate all those toegether when the sun is at the max distance

[tex]G \frac{m_{earth}}{r} + v_{1}^2 + v_{2}^2 = 0[/tex]
and when the minimum distance is taken [tex]G \frac{m_{earth}}{r} + v_{1}^2 - v_{2}^2 = 0[/tex]

thus [tex]v_{2}^2 = -v_{2}^2[/tex]

thus v2 = 0?? Is this good enough?? Is this valid??

help would be greatly appreciated! :smile:
 
Last edited:
stunner5000pt said:
Given the sun's mass (Ms = 2 x 10^30 kg) then Earth sun distnace (1.5 x 10^11 m) Newtons Constant G = 6.7 x 10^-11 Nm^2 kg^-2 use a GEOCENTRIC frame to explain the Earth's orbit (approcximate as a circle)

This was a question on my test and at first sight i was shocked.

But geocentric... if geocentric then the Earth would be at the centre and the sun would revolve around the sun. Would the sun have its own circular orbit around orbit as well?

AAANy help would be greatly appreciated!
Are you sure they don't mean a geocentric reference frame? The Earth still orbits around the Sun. Your drawing is closer to geocentric theory and Ptolemaic mechanics (with its numerous epicycles and defferents) than Newtonian mechanics.
 
BobG said:
Are you sure they don't mean a geocentric reference frame? The Earth still orbits around the Sun. Your drawing is closer to geocentric theory and Ptolemaic mechanics (with its numerous epicycles and defferents) than Newtonian mechanics.
i typed out exactly what the question asked for

However i am pretty sure tht what was asked was the geocentric reference frame.

The drawing is mine, so don't take it as part of the question, every post after #1 is my interpretation.
 

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