Approximate orbital period for earth's moon

  • #1
jaypee
Does anyone know what would be the approximate orbital period (time for one complete orbit) for an apple placed in orbit around Earth at the moon’s distance from Earth?
 
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  • #2
Orbital period depends strictly on distance (for relatively small objects). The apple would have the same period as the moon.
 
  • #3
GMEarthmapple or Moon/(RMoon)2=mapple or Moon(vorbital)2/RMoon

so vorbital is the same for both Moon and apple, since mapple or Moon cancels (Newtonian approximation as Russ pointed out), and Porbital=(2[pi]RMoon)/vorbital
 

1. What is the approximate orbital period for the Earth's moon?

The approximate orbital period for the Earth's moon is 27.3 days.

2. How is the orbital period of the moon calculated?

The orbital period of the moon is calculated by measuring the time it takes for the moon to complete one orbit around the Earth, which is approximately 27.3 days.

3. How does the Earth's moon's orbital period affect tides?

The Earth's moon's orbital period plays a significant role in the creation of tides. The gravitational pull of the moon causes the Earth's oceans to bulge, resulting in high and low tides.

4. Has the Earth's moon's orbital period always been the same?

No, the Earth's moon's orbital period has not always been the same. Due to the gravitational pull of other celestial bodies, the moon's orbit has gradually slowed down over time, increasing its orbital period.

5. How does the Earth's moon's orbital period compare to other moons in our solar system?

The Earth's moon's orbital period is relatively short compared to other moons in our solar system. For example, Jupiter's moon Ganymede has an orbital period of approximately 7.2 Earth days, while Neptune's moon Triton has an orbital period of approximately 5.9 Earth days.

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