SUMMARY
The discussion centers on determining the orbital period of Moon E, which orbits a planet at an orbital radius of 4r, while Moon D orbits at radius r and takes 20 days for one complete orbit. According to Kepler's Third Law, the square of the orbital period (T) of a moon is directly proportional to the cube of its orbital radius (r). Therefore, the calculation reveals that Moon E takes 80 days to complete one orbit, as T² is proportional to r³, confirming that Moon E's period is four times that of Moon D.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
- Basic knowledge of orbital mechanics
- Familiarity with circular orbits
- Ability to perform mathematical calculations involving squares and cubes
NEXT STEPS
- Study Kepler's Third Law in detail
- Explore the implications of orbital radius on orbital period
- Learn about the differences between circular and elliptical orbits
- Investigate real-world applications of Kepler's Laws in astronomy
USEFUL FOR
Astronomy students, physics enthusiasts, and educators looking to deepen their understanding of orbital mechanics and Kepler's Laws.