Gravitational Orbit: How Size Determines Distance & Speed

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Sveral
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gravitational Orbit
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The gravitational orbit of an object around a planet, such as Saturn, is determined by its mass rather than its size. According to the third Kepler law and Newton's law of gravity, the relationship between distance from the planet and orbital speed is governed by the mass of the orbiting object and the planet. Increasing the size of the object does not decrease the distance to the planet; instead, it is the mass that influences orbital dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's law of gravity
  • Familiarity with Kepler's laws of planetary motion
  • Basic knowledge of orbital mechanics
  • Concept of mass vs. size in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the third Kepler law in detail
  • Explore Newton's law of universal gravitation
  • Research orbital mechanics and its applications
  • Examine the effects of mass on gravitational interactions
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, physics students, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of gravitational orbits and their governing laws.

Sveral
Messages
63
Reaction score
1
Hello,
was just wondering, what determines the gravitational orbit of an object orbitting a planet, for example, Saturn.
Would increasing the size of the object decrease the distance between the object and the planet? Also, what determines the speed at which anything moves throughout it`s orbit-the size of the object or the size of the thing it`s orbitting?
Thanks in advance
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
See the third Kepler law, and in particular the modern version with Newton's law of gravity (replace sun by Saturn and planet by moon).

The size is completely irrelevant, the mass leads to a relation between distance and orbital speed.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Sveral
mfb said:
See the third Kepler law, and in particular the modern version with Newton's law of gravity (replace sun by Saturn and planet by moon).

The size is completely irrelevant, the mass leads to a relation between distance and orbital speed.
Much appreciated, thank you!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
3K
  • · Replies 86 ·
3
Replies
86
Views
9K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
7K