An asteroid has a perihelion distance of 2AU and an aphelion distance of 3AU. What is the semi-major axis of its orbit? How long does it take to orbit the sun?
2007-09-09 05:25:48 · 3 answers · asked by ChEMIsTrY ChICkiE 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The major axis would be the perihelion distance plus the aphelion distance, 5 in this example. The semi-major axis is half that, 2.5 in this case. Kepler's 3rd law says P^2=A^3, where P is the orbital period in years and A is semi-major axis in AU and So
P^2=2.5^3
P^2=15.625
P=SQRT(15.625)
P=3.95 years.
2007-09-09 06:17:27 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
simi major axes would be 2.r AU and 5 AU assuming one AU takes 1 yr then 5 years to orbit (give or take a light year or two)
2007-09-09 12:35:10 · answer #2 · answered by rixparx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe you should do your own homework.
2007-09-09 12:31:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋