Insights Blog
-- Browse All Articles --
Physics Articles
Physics Tutorials
Physics Guides
Physics FAQ
Math Articles
Math Tutorials
Math Guides
Math FAQ
Education Articles
Education Guides
Bio/Chem Articles
Technology Guides
Computer Science Tutorials
Forums
Classical Physics
Quantum Physics
Quantum Interpretations
Special and General Relativity
Atomic and Condensed Matter
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Beyond the Standard Model
Cosmology
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Other Physics Topics
Trending
Featured Threads
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Classical Physics
Quantum Physics
Quantum Interpretations
Special and General Relativity
Atomic and Condensed Matter
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Beyond the Standard Model
Cosmology
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Other Physics Topics
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Forums
Astronomy and Cosmology
Astronomy and Astrophysics
What is the Correct Formula for Calculating the Velocity of Saturn's Rings?
Reply to thread
Message
[QUOTE="Bandersnatch, post: 6097868, member: 399360"] Since each ring particle follows a Keplerian orbit, this should be just the formula for circular orbital velocity, with constants folded into one. I.e. for a small orbiting particle: ##V_o=\sqrt{\frac{GM}{R}}## The numerical constant is then just the orbital speed at the planet's surface (let us know if you can't see how to get there). However, there's something wonky in the state of Denmark. If you calculate it for Saturn's mass and 1 orbital radius, you should get approx. 25 km/s, not 29.4. The only two sources for the formula I could find is some amateur astronomer's blog that only mentions 'bibliography', and the SpaceMath website: [URL]https://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov/weekly/10Page28.pdf[/URL] I went over the solutions to the problems they gave, and the numbers didn't match for P1 and 2. Why that is became clear with problem 3, where it turns out the 29.4 is just a typo. The correct value (which they were actually using) is 24.9 - and that matches what you get from the orbital velocity formula. So, yeah. Don't use it. Use: ##V=\frac{24.9}{\sqrt{R}}## Again, 24.9 km/s is the orbital velocity in circular orbit at Saturn's surface (aka first cosmic velocity). [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Post reply
Forums
Astronomy and Cosmology
Astronomy and Astrophysics
What is the Correct Formula for Calculating the Velocity of Saturn's Rings?
Back
Top