- #1
zeion
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Homework Statement
Mars travels around the Sun in 1.88 (Earth) years, in an approximately circular orbit with a radius of 2.28 x 10^8 km
Determine
a) the orbital speed of Mars (relative to the Sun)
b) the mass of the Sun
Homework Equations
acceleration centripetal = 4(pi^2)(r) / (T^2)
universal attraction = (G)(m1)(m2) / (radius)^2
The Attempt at a Solution
Given:
T = 1.88 years = 59287680s = 5.9x10^7s
r = 2.28 x 10^8km = 2.28 x 10^11m
Orbital speed means centripetal acceleration yes?
Then,
acceleration centripetal = 4(pi^2)(r) / (T^2)
acceleration centripetal = 4(9.869604401)(2.28x10^11m) / (34.81x10^14s)
acceleration centripetal = 90.01x10^11m / 34.81x10^14s
acceleration centripetal = 2.59x10^-3m/s = 0.00259m/s
How come its so slow?