What Units Should I Use to Calculate Planetary Orbit Time?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the appropriate units for calculating the time it takes for a planet to form from a protoplanetary disk, using a specific equation. The user is uncertain whether to use days or seconds for the period, noting that results found online vary. They express concern about how to assess which unit would yield a sensible answer. Additionally, there is a brief exchange about formatting large brackets in LaTeX, with a suggestion provided for achieving that. The conversation highlights the complexities of unit selection in astrophysical calculations.
lagwagon555
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Hi all, I'm working on a problem where I have to find the time it takes for a planet to form from a protoplanetary disk, using the equation:

t = \frac {3}{A}M^{1/3}

Where

A= ( \frac {(1+2\beta)\sigma}{P}) (\frac {3\pi^2}{4\rho_m})^{2/3}

However, I'm not sure which units the periods should be calculated with. Results from google seem to use both, and the units I'm given for in the question are days. However, seconds would seem the logical thing to use. Calculating using both, and choosing the best answer won't really work, since I have no idea how long a sensible answer would be. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Incidentally, does anyone know how to get large brackets around fractions, when using Latex?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
The protoplanetary disk when a star system is very unstable and is the building blocks of a planetary system. Here is an interesting site you may find interesting:

http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/0004-637X/581/1/681/55760.web.pdf?request-id=18af475d-f2da-407a-ba2f-0a3e870da81b
 
LaTeX

Hi lagwagon555! :smile:
lagwagon555 said:
Incidentally, does anyone know how to get large brackets around fractions, when using Latex?

Type "\left(" and "\right)" :wink:

(also works with {} [] ||)
 
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