Mass of Planet Given Period, Radius & G Constant

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the mass of a planet based on the orbital characteristics of its moon. Given the gravitational constant G, an orbital period of 1.86 days, and an orbital radius of 485,000 km, the calculations reveal the orbital velocity of the moon to be approximately 18.9 km/sec. By equating centripetal force and gravitational force, the mass of the planet is derived as approximately 2.60 x 10^18 kg. The calculations demonstrate the application of fundamental physics principles to determine planetary mass from orbital data. This method effectively illustrates the relationship between orbital mechanics and gravitational forces.
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Given: G = 6.67259 x 10^11 N x m^2/kg^2
A small Moon of a planet has an orbital
period of 1.86 days and an orbital radius of
485000 km.
What is the mass of the planet?
 
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Well,what have you done/attempted to do so far...?

Daniel.
 
the_d said:
Given: G = 6.67259 x 10^(-11) N x m^2/kg^2
A small Moon of a planet has an orbital
period of 1.86 days and an orbital radius of
485000 km.
What is the mass of the planet?
{Orbital Period} = T = (1.86 days) = {1.61e(+5) sec}
{Orbital Radius} = r = (4.85e(+5) km)
{Orbital Velocity} = v = 2*Pi*r/T = 2*Pi*(4.85e(+5) km)/{1.61e(+5) sec} = (18.9 km/sec)

{Centripetal Force} = Mmoonv2/r =
= Mmoon(18.9)2/{4.85e(+5)} =
= {7.37e(-4)}Mmoon

{Gravitational Force} = GMplanetMmoon/r2 =
= {6.67e(-11)}*MplanetMmoon/(4.85e(+5) km)2 =
= {2.84e(-22)}*MplanetMmoon

{Centripetal Force} = {Gravitational Force}
::: ⇒ {7.37e(-4)}Mmoon = {2.84e(-22)}*MplanetMmoon
::: ⇒ Mplanet = {7.37e(-4)}/{2.84e(-22)} = {2.60e(+18) kg}

~~
 
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