Asteroid Orbits: Finding r with Kepler's Laws

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around an asteroid's orbital mechanics, specifically applying Kepler's laws to determine the radius of a new orbit after an impact with another asteroid. The original poster presents a scenario involving circular orbits and changes in speed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to relate the new orbital radius to the original radius using a formula derived from Kepler's laws. Some participants question whether the approach is correctly based on Kepler's laws or if it relies on Newton's gravitational law instead.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on the original poster's approach and the need for more detailed attempts. There is a focus on ensuring that the problem is presented clearly and in accordance with forum guidelines.

Contextual Notes

sya deela
Messages
4
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


An asteroid of mass m is in circular orbit of radius r around the sun with speed v.It has an impact with another asteroid of mass M and is kicked into a new circular orbit with a speed 1.5v.What is the radius of the new orbit in terms r?[/B]

Homework Equations

(v1)^2/(v2)^2 = (r2)^2 / (r1)^2[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution

is it using equations based on kepler's second law or third law.[/B]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi sya, and welcome to Physics Forums!

You need to provide a more detailed attempt and show your work. Let us assume that your idea is correct, how would you use that to find the new radius?
 
is it correct?i used based on kepler's third law.
 

Attachments

  • 2014-11-14 22.16.12.jpg
    2014-11-14 22.16.12.jpg
    19.7 KB · Views: 542
  • 2014-11-14 22.16.43.jpg
    2014-11-14 22.16.43.jpg
    19.3 KB · Views: 529
What you have used is Newton's gravitational law, not Kepler's laws. Also, we generally do not allow posting problems or attempted solutions as image attachments or links as it requires significantly more efforts from helpers. If you want people to help you, you should make the minimal effort of typing out the full problem and your full attempt at a solution in-forum. Please refer to the Guidelines for Students and Helpers as well as the Physics Forums General Guidelines for more information.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K