How to find the speed of a planet around the sun

In summary, the sun has a mass of 1.99x10^30 kg and Jupiter has a mass of 1.90x10^27 kg. Jupiter's mean radius of orbit around the sun is 7.78x10^8 km. To calculate the speed of Jupiter's orbit around the sun, we can use the equations fg=(Gm1m2)/d^2 and fc=(4π^2mr)/T^2. Since Jupiter's orbit is circular, the centripetal force is supplied by the gravitational force. To find the velocity, we can use the formula v=√(fg/mr), where fg is the gravitational force, m is Jupiter's mass, and r is
  • #1
Matthew_Maz
6
0

Homework Statement


THe sun has a mass of 1.99x10*30 kg. Jupiter has a mass of 1.90x10*27 kg and a mean radius of orbit around the sun of 7.78x10*8 km what is the speed that Jupiter travels in its orbit around the sun?

Homework Equations


fg=(Gm1m2)/d*2
fc=(4pie*2mr)/T*2

The Attempt at a Solution


I am not really sure how to go about solving this.. i was thinking to solve for the fg equation above, you get fg=4.17 x10*29, I am not sure if i am on the right track and some guidance would be useful. thanks[/B]
 
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  • #2
Assuming that Jupiter's orbit is taken to be circular, what supplies the centripetal force?
What formula involving velocity do you know for centripetal force?

By the way, make sure that your units agree when you make a calculation; Your value for fg looks to be a bit high. What are the units of G? What units did you use for d?
 

1. How do you calculate the speed of a planet around the sun?

The speed of a planet around the sun can be calculated using the formula v = √(GM/R), where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the sun, and R is the distance between the planet and the sun.

2. Can the speed of a planet around the sun change?

Yes, the speed of a planet around the sun can change. This is because the gravitational force between the planet and the sun changes as the distance between them changes. The closer the planet is to the sun, the faster it will travel, and vice versa.

3. How do you measure the distance between a planet and the sun?

The distance between a planet and the sun can be measured using a variety of methods, such as radar ranging, parallax measurements, and celestial mechanics. These methods use observations and mathematical calculations to determine the distance between the two bodies.

4. What is the unit of measurement for the speed of a planet around the sun?

The speed of a planet around the sun is typically measured in kilometers per second (km/s) or meters per second (m/s). These units represent the distance traveled by the planet in one second.

5. Does the speed of a planet around the sun affect its orbit?

Yes, the speed of a planet around the sun has a direct impact on its orbit. A faster speed will result in a larger orbit, while a slower speed will result in a smaller orbit. This is due to the balance between the gravitational force and the centrifugal force acting on the planet.

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