What Is the Orbital Period of an Asteroid with a Temperature of 200 K?

AI Thread Summary
To determine the orbital period of an asteroid with an equilibrium temperature of 200 K, one must consider the energy balance between the solar radiation it receives and the energy it radiates. The discussion references the Earth's radius, solar constant, and albedo to establish a framework for calculating the total power entering an atmosphere and the energy absorbed by the asteroid. Participants emphasize the need to show calculations and clarify the units of power, as well as the source of this power. A simple approximation for energy output is suggested, disregarding complex atmospheric effects. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these fundamental principles to solve the problem effectively.
rodrigues
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Hi everyone,

was hoping someone could help me to answer a question:

an ateroid has an equilibrium temperature measured as 200 K. What is the object's orbital period around the Sun?

That is the exact wording of that particular question and that's why I am a little stumped.. it also says to base it upon your considerations in question #4, which reads

assuming the Earth's radius is 637 km, the solar constant is 1370 w/m2, and our planetary albedo is 0.31, then:
(a) determine total power entering Earth's atmosphere
(b) the total power that would be asborbed in the absence of an atmosphere
© surface temperature assuming it radiated into space all the energy it absorbed
 
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rodrigues said:
an ateroid has an equilibrium temperature measured as 200 K. What is the object's orbital period around the Sun?

You need to show some work before we can help you. What determines the temperature of an orbiting body? Disregard complicated atmospheric effects. What simple approximation might you make to describe its energy output?


assuming the Earth's radius is 637 km, the solar constant is 1370 w/m2, and our planetary albedo is 0.31, then:
(a) determine total power entering Earth's atmosphere
(b) the total power that would be asborbed in the absence of an atmosphere
© surface temperature assuming it radiated into space all the energy it absorbed

Same here, you need to show some work. What are the units of power? What is the source of the power?
 
oops posted too soon, sec let me finish it
 
nvm got it :)
 
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I do hope that the radius of the Earth is 6370 km
 
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