Where Am I Going Wrong in Calculating the Orbital Period?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the orbital period of the Earth around the Sun, utilizing Newton's second law and the Universal Law of Gravitation. Participants are exploring the relationship between gravitational force and centrifugal force in the context of orbital mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to equate gravitational force with centrifugal force but encounters difficulties in their calculations. Some participants suggest that the mass of the Earth can be canceled out in the equations, leading to a simplified relationship. Others raise questions about the manipulation of the equations and the implications of the units involved.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering guidance on how to rearrange the equations. There is a focus on understanding the relationships between the variables involved, although the original poster expresses confusion about the next steps in their calculations.

Contextual Notes

The original poster's calculations involve specific constants and values, but there is a noted uncertainty regarding the handling of units and the algebraic manipulation required to isolate the orbital period.

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Homework Statement


Calculate the Orbital Period for the following: Earth's orbit to the Sun. I get stuck towards the end. I must use Newton's second law and have the Universal Law of Gravitation equal the Centrifugal Force.
Newton's gravitational constant: G= 6.67*10^-11 Nm^2/kg^2
Mass of Sun = 1.98*10^30 kg
Mass of the Earth 5.97*10^24 kg
Distance of the Earth from the Sun: 149.6*10^6
T = time


Homework Equations


Centrifugal Force = (mv^2)/r
v=(2(pi)(r))t
Force of Gravity = (GMm)/d^2
Mm being mass, and G/d^2 being acceleration.


The Attempt at a Solution


I multiplied Newton's gravitational constant by the mass of the Earth by the mass of the Sun, and then divided it all by the distance of the Earth from the Sun. I got 5.270280882*10^35 km. This was for the gravitational pull.

For the Centrifugal Force, I multiplied the mass of the Earth by v=((2(pi)(r))^2)/t^2. And put it over 149.6*10^6 km. I got (3.52229083*10^34 kg*km)/t^2.

I then set my two results equal to each other. Next, I multiplied by t^2 as that is the variable I am trying to find. This gave me 5.270280882*10^35 km*t^2 = 3.5229083*10^34 kg*km. Then, I divided by km on both sides to cancel it. I now have 5.270280882*10^35 t^2 = 3.5229083*10^34 kg. If I divide by the number on the left side of the equation and then square root both sides, I get a number than can't possibly be the Orbital Period of the Earth.


Can you tell where I am going wrong? Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks.
 
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Centrifugal Force = (mv^2)/r
Force of Gravity = (GMm)/d^2

For an orbit these two are equal so you have
mv^2/r = GMm/r^2

The mass of the Earth cancels, orbit's don't depend on the mass of the small object - that's why a spaceman and a space shuttle can float along in the same orbit.

v^2/r = GM/r^2

Work out v in terms of the circumference and the period ( v= 2 PI r/t) , do a bit of rearranging and you're there.
 
OK, thanks. I will try this and let you know how it goes.
 
((4(pi^2)(149.6 km^2))/t^2)/149.6 km=(6.67*10^-11(1.98*10^30 kg))/149.6 km^2

I do not understand what to do. If I cancel the 149.6 km from the denom. on the left side, I can't go much further.
 

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