What are the orbital parameters of a planet orbiting a star?

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The discussion revolves around calculating the orbital parameters of a planet orbiting a star located 59 light years away with a mass of 1.90×10^30 kg. For part A, the gravitational force equation is applied to determine the semi-major axis distance, yielding a result of approximately 6.59 x 10^11 m. In part B, the orbital period is calculated using the formula a = (GmT^2/4π^2)^(1/3), where G is the gravitational constant. Part C involves finding the radius of a second planet's orbit, which has an orbital period eight times longer than the first, by first determining the period from part B and then solving for the radius. The calculations emphasize the application of Newton's Law of Gravitation and Kepler's laws in determining orbital mechanics.
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Here is my problem:
The star is 59 light years from the Earth and has a mass of 1.90×1030 kg.

A. A large planet of mass 1.20×1028 kg is known to orbit this star. The planet is attracted to the star by a force of 3.50×1026 N when their centers are separated by a distance equal to the semi-major axis of the planet's orbit. Calculate this distance (in m).

B. What is the period (in days) of this planet's orbit?

C.Other as yet undiscovered planets may orbit this star. If a second planet is in a circular orbit around the star with an orbital period equal to 8.00 times the value found in part (b), what is the radius (in m) of the second planet's orbit?

I have attempted A, but cannot seem to figure out how to get the distance. I was trying to use the equation a = (GmT^2/4pi^2)^1/3
 
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jaymode said:
I have attempted A, but cannot seem to figure out how to get the distance. I was trying to use the equation a = (GmT^2/4pi^2)^1/3

Try just Newton's Law on part A:

F=\frac{GMm}{r^2}

Then use your equation for part B.
 
SpaceTiger said:
Try just Newton's Law on part A:

F=\frac{GMm}{r^2}

Then use your equation for part B.

That does not work out. I get an incredibly small number which I know is wrong.
 
nm I was stupid and not doing the math correctly.
 
For a)

F = \frac{GMm}{R^2}

R = \sqrt{\frac{GMm}{F}}

R = \sqrt{\frac{6.67x10^{-11} * 1.9 x 10^{30} * 1.2 x 10^{28}}{3.5 x 10^{26}}} = \sqrt{4.35 x 10^{21}} = 6.59 x 10^{11} m

No
For b)


a = (GmT^2/4pi^2)^1/3

a = \frac{3.5x10^{26}}{1.2x10^{28}}

G = 6.67 x 10^-11
T = What you want

\sqrt{\frac{4a^3\pi^2}{Gm}} = T

For c)

Find T from above, multiply by 8. Solve for R and find R.
 
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