If the distance between the planet and the sun were increased, withough altering either of the planets period of revoution or the period pf the planets rotation about its own axis, would the time difference between a solar day and a sidereal day increase or decrease???
2007-11-28 12:03:11 · 3 answers · asked by emmiloulou 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It's a question I have to know for an exam
2007-11-28 13:00:38 · update #1
Read the question, guys. Period of revolution does not change.
There must be a trick I'm missing here because, as far as I can tell, there would be no change in either. If the period of revolution (i.e. the year) is the same, then every day the planet is describing the same number of degrees around the sun as it did in its closer orbit. Ergo, the sidereal day is the same. As the rotation is the same, the solar day is also the same. Nothing changes.
2007-11-28 13:52:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Presumption - flight speed of planet does not change???
If the flight speed does not change, the planet will fall out of that orbit, falling one way or the other (inside or outside of orbit) until a suitable balance between the Sun's Gravity and the planet's speed is once again achieved.
Given what you said, there is not any difference, except a year would get longer, and what I mentioned about the balance between flight speed and radius of orbit being upset.
2007-11-28 20:53:07 · answer #2 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither. But the years would be longer.
2007-11-28 20:30:34 · answer #3 · answered by Jackolantern 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋