Kepler's 3rd Law: The squares of the times of revolutions (periods) of the planets are proportional to the cubes of their average distances to the sun. (T² ∝ R³)
The third law can be written as follows: MT² = (4π²/G) a³
OR this way: M = (4π²/GT²) a³
1.) What has a greater effect in determining the mass of the moon; uncertainties (errors) in "a" or those in "T"? Please explain.
10 points to first and best answer! Thank you!
The third law can be written as follows: MT² = (4π²/G) a³
OR this way: M = (4π²/GT²) a³
1.) What has a greater effect in determining the mass of the moon; uncertainties (errors) in "a" or those in "T"? Please explain.
10 points to first and best answer! Thank you!
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"a" is cubed. So a 0.1% error in "a" results in a 0.3% error in M.
"T" is squared. So a 0.1% error in "T" results in a 0.2% error in M.
Actually, this does not figure the mass of the moon. It can be used to find the mass of the Moon + Earth.
"T" is squared. So a 0.1% error in "T" results in a 0.2% error in M.
Actually, this does not figure the mass of the moon. It can be used to find the mass of the Moon + Earth.