{Orbital Period} = T = (1.86 days) = {1.61e(+5) sec}the_d said:Given: G = 6.67259 x 10^(-11) N x m^2/kg^2
A small Moon of a planet has an orbital
period of 1.86 days and an orbital radius of
485000 km.
What is the mass of the planet?
The formula for calculating the mass of a planet is M = (4π²R³)/(G×T²), where M is the mass of the planet, R is its radius, T is its orbital period, and G is the gravitational constant.
The units for the mass of a planet will depend on the units used for the other variables in the formula. If the radius is in meters, the period is in seconds, and the gravitational constant is in m³/(kg·s²), then the mass will be in kilograms (kg).
Yes, this formula can be used for any planet as long as its orbital period, radius, and the gravitational constant are known. However, it may be more accurate for planets with smaller sizes and shorter orbital periods.
The gravitational constant (G) is a fundamental physical constant that is determined through experiments and observations of the gravitational force between two objects. Its value is approximately 6.674×10⁻¹¹ m³/(kg·s²).
Yes, there are other methods for calculating the mass of a planet, such as using the planet's gravitational pull on nearby objects or analyzing its effects on the orbits of other planets. However, the formula mentioned above is a commonly used and accurate method for calculating the mass of a planet.