Does the period or frequency represent an orbit?

In summary, when discussing orbits, both period and frequency are important and can be calculated from each other. However, one does not necessarily represent the orbit more than the other as they are both essential in understanding the orbit.
  • #1
marshall4
50
0
does the period or frequency represent an orbit?
 
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  • #2
The question simply doesn't make sense. Any periodic function has both period and frequency- given one, you can calculate the other.
Neither "represents" an orbit.

If you do have something, such as a planet, orbiting, then you must have both a period (the number of days, seconds, etc. required to complete one full orbit) and a frequency (the number of orbits per day, second, etc.) and one is just the reciprocal of the other. If you are thinking of one as "representing" the orbit, the other could as well.

To answer the question you DIDN'T ask but probably intended, it is more common to give the period of an orbit of a planet about the sun rather than the frequency just because it is a simpler number in the most common units.
 
  • #3
1/T = Frequency

1/f = Period.


where T = period.

Knowing either one will get you the answer for the other.
 

1. What is the difference between period and frequency in terms of representing an orbit?

The period represents the time it takes for an object to complete one full orbit around another object, while frequency represents the number of orbits completed in a given amount of time. Therefore, period and frequency are inversely related to each other.

2. Can the period and frequency of an orbit change over time?

Yes, the period and frequency of an orbit can change if there is a change in the speed or distance of the orbiting object. This can happen due to external forces such as gravitational pull from other objects or internal forces such as propulsion systems.

3. How are period and frequency calculated for an orbit?

The period of an orbit can be calculated using Kepler's third law, which states that the square of the orbital period is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of the orbit. Frequency can be calculated by taking the inverse of the period.

4. Is there a relationship between period and frequency for all types of orbits?

Yes, there is an inverse relationship between period and frequency for all types of orbits, including circular, elliptical, and parabolic orbits. However, the specific values of period and frequency may vary depending on the size and shape of the orbit.

5. How does the mass of the orbiting object affect the period and frequency of an orbit?

The mass of the orbiting object does not affect the period and frequency of an orbit, as long as the mass of the larger object (such as a planet or star) remains constant. This is because the gravitational force between two objects is dependent on their masses, but the period and frequency are only affected by the distance between the objects and the gravitational constant.

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