Earth travels around the Sun at a speed of 29.8 km/s. The radius of Planet X’s orbit is 3 times that of Earth’s orbit. What is the speed of Planet X?
Gravitational constant = G
Mass of Sun = M
Mass of the Earth = m1
Radius of orbit of Earth = R1
Orbital speed of Earth = V1 = 29.8 km/s
The gravitational force of Sun on the Earth provides the centripetal force for the circular motion of Earth.
Mass of planet X = m2
Radius of orbit of planet X = R2 = 3R1
Speed of planet X = V2
The gravitational force of Sun on planet X provides the centripetal force for the circular motion of planet X.
V2 = 17.2 km/s
Speed of Planet X = 17.2 km/s
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