Io, a satellite of Jupiter, has an orbital period of 1.77 days and an orbital radius of 4.22 * 10^-5 km. From these data, determine the mass of Jupiter.
How would I go about doing this. Don't tell me the answer, just the process, please.
2007-12-08 02:56:48 · 4 answers · asked by Muffins 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
go to regular yahoo and type in what is the mass of Jupiter.
2007-12-08 03:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are you sure you can? I don't think its period or radius is effected by its mass, only the Sun's mass.
Of course, they are both orbiting around each other (Jupiter pulls the sun off its axis slightly) - but that's not information given.
2007-12-08 11:00:55 · answer #2 · answered by Elana 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Those two numbers only work out one way in the formulas that relate mass, radius and period/speed.
http://www.astronomynotes.com/gravappl/s8.htm
discusses it.
2007-12-08 11:05:30 · answer #3 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think the equation is M=d/v or something. try typing in HOW or the PROCESS of finding the mass
2007-12-12 00:06:13 · answer #4 · answered by normal guy 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋