Planet Motion: Calculate Star Mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter myoplex11
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Planetary
AI Thread Summary
To calculate the mass of the star, the equation Ms = v^2 r / G is used, where Ms is the mass of the star, v is the orbital velocity of the planet, r is the distance from the star, and G is the gravitational constant. Given the planet's mass of 9.9*10^23 kg, its distance of 5.6 AU (converted to meters), and its velocity of 32 km/s, the calculation can be performed. The user expresses confidence in their solution approach. The discussion focuses on applying the gravitational formula to determine the star's mass based on the planet's orbital characteristics. The method appears valid for solving the problem.
myoplex11
Messages
45
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


a 9.9*10^23 kg planet orbits a star in a circular orbit. The planet is 5.6 AU away from the star and has an orbital velocity of 32 km/s. What is the mass of the star. (1AU = 1.496*10^11m)


Homework Equations


G Mp Ms / r^2 = Mp V^2/r



The Attempt at a Solution


Ms = v^2 r /G
is my solution correct
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Looks good to me.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Calculate the mass of a star and a planet that orbits it
Replies
12
Views
3K
Period of Planets orbiting a Star
Replies
13
Views
8K
Planet orbiting around a star whose mass changes
Replies
7
Views
2K
Finding the mass of a planet is a binary system
Replies
2
Views
5K
Acceleration of Planet/Sun System
Replies
3
Views
1K
Calculating Solar Mass using peak Doppler shifts
Replies
7
Views
2K
Satellite Motion Homework: Find 2nd Satellite Speed
Replies
2
Views
2K
Mechanical energy for planet in elliptical orbit around star
Replies
3
Views
10K
How Do You Calculate the Mass of a Planet in Circular Orbit?
Replies
4
Views
5K
Calculate the Orbital Radius of a Planet
Replies
1
Views
9K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top