How Long Does It Take Earth to Orbit the Sun?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the Earth's orbital period around the Sun using Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion. The distance from the Earth to the Sun is given as 1.5 x 1011 meters, and the mass of the Sun is 1.9 x 1030 kg. Participants emphasize the importance of using Newton's modified version of Kepler's law to derive the orbital period, which should align with the accepted value of 365.25 days. Discrepancies in results may arise from incorrect values or misapplication of the laws.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
  • Familiarity with Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations
  • Knowledge of unit conversion from seconds to years
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion in detail
  • Research Newton's modifications to Kepler's laws
  • Practice calculating orbital periods using different celestial bodies
  • Explore the concept of gravitational force and its impact on orbital mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy students, physics enthusiasts, and anyone interested in celestial mechanics and orbital dynamics will benefit from this discussion.

maddad
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Please help...
Given that the distance to the sun from the Earth is 1.5*10^11 m and the the mass of the sun is 1.9*10^30 kg.
Using Keplers law find the period of the Earth's orbit recorded in seconds; show how to express your anwser in years; and if your anwser does not agree with the accepted Earth's orbital period of 365.25 days, explain the discrepancy.
I am totally lost using Keplers law, I need your help ... Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
You should post this in the homework help section.

Look up Kepler's laws. There are 3 of them. One deals with this exact problem. Look up Newton's modified form of Kepler's law. Look up the values that they gave you in the problem and confirm if they're the correct values.
 
Moving to HW
 
Dear Sir, this is my first time in a forum, and I don't know how to retrieve the posted information. Can you please explain how do I get the anwser to my problem> Thanks!
 
You retrieve it by using your textbook. Look in the index for "Kepler's Laws", specifically his 3rd law. Or you can Google "Kepler's Laws" and "Newton's modified form of Kepler's Law".
 

Similar threads

How Long for a Beam of Light to Reach Earth?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Orbital Period of the Earth where the Sun's Mass Changes
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Calculating Earth's Effective Spring Constant for its Orbit Around the Sun
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Period of a planet orbiting the Sun
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
High School How long it takes the Earth to fall halfway to the Sun--ellipse method
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
How Does the Time Period Change with Orbit Radius in Satellite Motion?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Earth stops moving how long before it hits the sun?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Calculate the mass of a star and a planet that orbits it
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
High School The Sun's Influence on the Moon's Orbit: Is it Negligible?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Astronomy - Hohmann Transfer Orbit
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K