Radius of Mercury (celestial body)

AI Thread Summary
To find the radius of Mercury's orbit, the provided period of 87.9 days and angular speed of 8.27 x 10^-7 rad/s can be utilized. The discussion highlights that the radius of the orbit, not the planet itself, is the focus. It suggests that the question lacks sufficient data for a direct calculation using the given equations. However, Kepler's 3rd law of planetary motion may offer a way to determine the radius using just the orbital period. This approach could yield the necessary radius without needing additional information.
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Homework Statement


It is given that the period of Mercury is 87.9 days and the angular speed of Mercury is 8.27*10^-7
I am asked to find the radius of Mercury.
I have no idea how to calculate the radius just the two pieces of information given. Should there also be the linear velocity of Mercury given in order to calculate the radius??

Homework Equations


v= r ω
ω= 2∏/T
a= v^2/r or a= r ω^2Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 
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You of course mean the radius of the orbit, not of the planet.

It does seem like the question is not giving you enough data to calculate the radius using the equations provided.

However, you may be able to obtain the radius using even less information that is given(i.e., just the period). Try applying Kepler's 3rd law of planetary motion.
 

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