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lizzyb
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Homework Statement
Two planets A and B, where B has twice the mass of A, orbit the Sun in elliptical orbits. The semi-major axis of the elliptical orbit of planet B is two times larger than the semi-major axis of the elliptical orbit of planet A.
What is the ratio of the orbital period of planet B to that of planet A?
Homework Equations
[tex]T^2 = (\frac{4 \pi^2}{G M}) r^3[/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
[tex]M_B = 2 M_A[/tex]
[tex]a_B = 2 a_A[/tex]
[tex]\frac{T_B}{T_A} = \frac{\sqrt{\frac{4 \pi^2}{G 2 M_A} 8 a_A^3}}{\sqrt{\frac{4 \pi^2}{G M_A} a_A^3}} = \sqrt{\frac{8}{2}} = \sqrt{ 4 } = 2[/tex]
but that was wrong. ?