Question

Two newly discovered planets follow circular orbits around a star in a distant part of the galaxy. The orbital speeds of the planets are determined to be 43.6 km/s and 63.5 km/s. The slower planet's orbital period is 8.36 years. (a) What is the mass of the star? (b) What is the orbital period of the faster planet, in years?

Answer 1

a. for the slower planet, start with speed and period to get radius.

speed=2PI r/period solve for r

then centripet force = gravitational force mv^2/r=GMm/r^2 solve for M

Answer 2

Can there be a one for OCPS? If not then should i make one?