University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321973615
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-361-0

Chapter 13 - Gravitation - Problems - Exercises - Page 426: 13.28

Answer

The orbital period of the moon at a distance of 48,000 km is 24.5 days. The orbital period of the moon at a distance of 64,000 km is 37.7 days.

Work Step by Step

Let $P_C$ be Charon's period. Let $R_C$ be Charon's orbital radius. Let $P_1$ be period of the moon at a distance of 48,000 km. Let $R_1$ be the orbital radius of the moon at a distance of 48,000 km. We can use Kepler's third law to find the period $P_1$. $(\frac{P_1}{P_C})^2 = (\frac{R_1}{R_C})^3$ $P_1 = P_C~(\frac{R_1}{R_C})^{3/2}$ $P_1 = (6.39~days)~(\frac{48,000~km}{19,600~km})^{3/2}$ $P_1 = 24.5~days$ The orbital period of the moon at a distance of 48,000 km is 24.5 days. Let $P_2$ be period of the moon at a distance of 64,000 km. Let $R_2$ be the orbital radius of the moon at a distance of 64,000 km. We can use Kepler's third law to find the period $P_2$. $(\frac{P_2}{P_C})^2 = (\frac{R_2}{R_C})^3$ $P_2 = P_C~(\frac{R_2}{R_C})^{3/2}$ $P_2 = (6.39~days)~(\frac{64,000~km}{19,600~km})^{3/2}$ $P_2 = 37.7~days$ The orbital period of the moon at a distance of 64,000 km is 37.7 days.
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