Mass of Jupiter using its moon Sinope

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the mass of Jupiter using its moon Sinope's orbital data, specifically applying a modified version of Kepler's Third Law. The relevant formulas include Kepler's Third Law (p² = a³) and its Newtonian adaptation (p² = a³/M). The orbital period of Sinope is 2.075 years, and its average orbital distance is 0.158 AU. The participants emphasize the importance of using the correct formula, M = a³/p², to derive Jupiter's mass in solar mass units and subsequently convert it to kilograms.

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  • Basic knowledge of astronomical units (AU) and solar mass
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johnq1
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Homework Statement


Using a modified version of Kepler's third law and data about Sinope calculate the mass of Jupiter.

Keplers Third Law: p^2=a^3
Newton's Version: p^2=a^3 / M + M
p^2 = a^3/M
M=a^3/p^2
Sinope's period of orbit = 2.075 years
Average orbital distance of Sinope is 0.158 AU

Homework Equations



Keplers Third Law: p^2=a^3
Newton's Version: p^2=a^3 / M + M
p^2 = a^3/M
M=a^3/p^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I need Jupiter in solar mass units and then in kg by multiplying it by the mass of the sun (2.00*10^30).

Here is what I have so far but its not making sense.
p=2.075
p^2=4.305625
a^3=4.305625
a=1.62684209

if m=a^3/p^2 and p^2=a^3 I am just going to come up with the same answer of 2.075 which doesn't seem to help me at all. I think the problem is worded bad and I am confused as to where the orbital distance of Sinope comes into play.

Any tips on how to proceed would be appreciated!
 
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Let us use F = ma for the moon of Jupiter.

What is F?
 
Keplers Third Law: p^2=a^3

This is only valid for orbits around the sun (or a star with the same mass),
so you can't use this.

You can find an answer only using p^2 = a^3/M (with M expressed in solar masses)
 
Can we use:

F = ma ( for the moon of Jupiter)

\frac{GMm}{R^{2}} = mR\omega^{2}

Gm = \frac{R^{3}4\pi^{2}}{T^{2}}

T^{2} = \frac{4\pi^{2}R^{3}}{GM}
 
The mass of the Juipter moon Sinope is 8*10^16 but I looked that up, didn't figure it from what was given.
 
You can find an answer only using p^2 = a^3/M (with M expressed in solar masses)

so would it be...
M= .158/2.075
M= .076144578313253 AU
.076144578313253(2*10^30) = 1.52289157 × 10^29kg

That's off by over 37% so that doesn't seem right.
 
Last edited:
johnq1 said:
You can find an answer only using p^2 = a^3/M (with M expressed in solar masses)

so would it be...
M= .158/2.075
M= .076144578313253 AU
.076144578313253(2*10^30) = 1.52289157 × 10^29kg

That's off by over 37% so that doesn't seem right.

It's about a hundred times too heavy. You used M = a/p, and not M = a^3/p^2
 
johnq1 said:
The mass of the Juipter moon Sinope is 8*10^16 but I looked that up, didn't figure it from what was given.

Why would you need to know the mass of Sinope?
Which is the relevant mass?
 

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