Planet orbital period question

In summary, Mars has a nearly circular orbit with a radius of 2.28 x 10^11 m around the Sun. It has a mass of 6.27 x 10^23 kg and experiences a gravitational force of 1.63 x 10^21 N from the Sun. To find the speed of Mars, it is 2.4 x 10^4 m/s. To determine the period of revolution in Earth years, we can use Kepler's Constant or assume a constant and tangential speed for Mars and calculate the circumference of its orbit and the time it takes to travel around it.
  • #1
HelloMotto
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0
Mars travels in a nearly circular orbit of radius 2.28 x 10^11 m around the Sun. The mass o Mars is 6.27 x 10^23 kg. The gravitational force of attraction between Mars and the sun has a magnitude of 1.63 x 10^21 N.

a) what is the speed of Mars?
i got 2.4 x 10^4 m/s

b)Determine the period of revolution of Mars around the Sun in Earth years.
how do i find the period and then convert that into Earth years?
 
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  • #2
Use Kepler's Constant
 
  • #3
gabbagabbahey said:
Use Kepler's Constant

ummm... what's that? I've never learned that.
 
  • #4
Okay, then just assume the orbit is circular so that Mars' speed is constant and tangential. What is the circumference of Mars' orbit? How long does it take to travel that circumference at the speed you calculated in (a)?
 

1. What is a planet's orbital period?

A planet's orbital period is the time it takes for the planet to complete one full orbit around its star. It is measured in Earth years, and varies depending on the distance between the planet and its star.

2. How is a planet's orbital period calculated?

A planet's orbital period is calculated using Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion, which states that the square of a planet's orbital period is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit. This can be calculated using the planet's distance from its star and the mass of the star.

3. How does a planet's orbital period affect its climate?

A planet's orbital period can affect its climate by determining the length of its seasons. A longer orbital period can result in longer seasons, while a shorter orbital period can result in shorter seasons. The tilt of a planet's axis also plays a role in its climate, but the orbital period sets the overall length of the year.

4. Do all planets in our solar system have the same orbital period?

No, each planet in our solar system has a unique orbital period due to their varying distances from the Sun. For example, Mercury has an orbital period of 88 Earth days, while Neptune's orbital period is 165 Earth years.

5. Can a planet's orbital period change over time?

Yes, a planet's orbital period can change over time due to various factors such as gravitational interactions with other planets, changes in the planet's orbit, or changes in the mass of the planet's star. However, these changes are usually very small and occur over long periods of time.

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