Universal gravitation to find the mass of a star

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the mass of a distant star based on the orbital characteristics of a planet. The problem involves applying the universal law of gravitation and Kepler's laws, specifically using the period and radius of the planet's orbit.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to apply the gravitational formula but express confusion regarding the correct application of the radius and constants. There are discussions about the need to cube the radius and the proper arrangement of terms in the equation.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants revising their calculations and questioning the accuracy of their results. Some guidance has been offered regarding potential errors in the use of exponents and the arrangement of the gravitational formula.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is a noted uncertainty regarding the expected order of magnitude for the mass of the star.

BoldKnight399
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A distant star has a single plante orbiting at a radius of 3.51X10^11m. The period of the planet's motion around the star is 853 days. What is the mass of the star? The universal gravitational constant is 6.67259X10^-11N m^2/kg^2. Answer in kg.

Alrighty. So I tried to find the mass by using the equation:
T^2=(4pi)^2 X R^2/Gm

so that became:
(73699200sec)^2=(4pi)^2 X (3.51X10^11)/(6.67259X10^-11)X(mass star)

(5.43157X10^15)=(5.5427X10^13)/(6.67253X10^-11)X(m)
thus m=6.5388X10^-9

Even I noticed that the answer shouldn't work and doesn't make sense. Can anyone see where I went wrong, or have a better approach?
 
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The R should be cubed (R^3). Also, rather than (4*pi)^2, you would have 4(pi)^2.
 
Ok so I did that and got:
5.4315X10^15 =(4.2875X10^34)/(6.67259X10^-11 X m)
and that m=2.178X10^12

that was wrong. So where in there did I go wrong?
 
M = (4*(pi)2*R3)/(G*T2)
 
ok, I did that and got: 38214641.16 kg and that answer is still wrong. I did it so that:
m=(39.4784176)(3.51X10^11)^3/(6.67259X10^-11)(73699200s)^2

so where am I going wrong?
 
BoldKnight399 said:
Ok so I did that and got:
5.4315X10^15 =(4.2875X10^34)/(6.67259X10^-11 X m)
and that m=2.178X10^12

that was wrong. So where in there did I go wrong?

It would seem that you have mixed up some orders of magnitude. Just from looking at the exponents of the 10s' above, one should be able to see that the order of magnitude should be around 30 (i.e. x10^30). Perhaps the most logical step now would be to recheck your calculations.
 

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