Question

Mercury has a radius of 2440 km. A satellite is in circular orbit around Mercury. It...

Mercury has a radius of 2440 km. A satellite is in circular orbit around Mercury. It travels at a distance of 124 km above the surface and its period of rotation is 1 hour 31.5 minutes.
a) Estimate the Mass of Mercury. State which formula(s) you applied and why.
b) Estimate Mercury's mean density. You can assume a spherical planet.
c) Compare your answer to the mean density of Earth. Why is it larger/smaller?

Homework Answers

Know the answer?
Your Answer:

Post as a guest

Your Name:

What's your source?

Earn Coins

Coins can be redeemed for fabulous gifts.

Not the answer you're looking for?
Ask your own homework help question
Similar Questions
An artificial satellite is in a circular orbit around a planet of radius r = 2.25...
An artificial satellite is in a circular orbit around a planet of radius r = 2.25 × 103 km at a distance d = 380.0 km from the planet\'s surface. The period of revolution of the satellite around the planet is T = 1.15 hours. What is the average density of the planet?
1). a). An asteroid is discovered in a nearly circular orbit around the Sun, with an...
1). a). An asteroid is discovered in a nearly circular orbit around the Sun, with an orbital radius that is 2.83 times Earth's. What is the asteroid's orbital period ?, its "year," in terms of Earth years? b). An artificial satellite is in a circular orbit ?=390.0 km above the surface of a planet of radius ?=3.65×103 km. The period of revolution of the satellite around the planet is ?=3.15 hours. What is the average density of the planet?
An artificial satellite is in a circular orbit d=730.0 km above the surface of a planet...
An artificial satellite is in a circular orbit d=730.0 km above the surface of a planet of radius  r=2.75×103 km. The period of revolution of the satellite around the planet is T=3.15 hours. What is the average density of the planet?
A satellite is in circular orbit around an unknown planet. A second, different, satellite also travels...
A satellite is in circular orbit around an unknown planet. A second, different, satellite also travels in a circular orbit around this same planet, but with an orbital radius four times larger than the first satellite. Sue-Bob, the bad physics student, says: "The gravitational force of the planet depends inversely on the orbital radius squared. Since the second satellite's orbitai radius is four times that of the first satellite, the second satellite experiences on-sixteenth the gravitational force that is exerted...
The radius of the earth's orbit around the sun (assumed to be circular) is 1.50×108km, and...
The radius of the earth's orbit around the sun (assumed to be circular) is 1.50×108km, and the earth travels around this orbit in 365 days. 1- What is the magnitude of the orbital velocity of the earth in m/s? 2- What is the radial acceleration of the earth toward the sun? 3- What is the magnitude of the orbital velocity of the planet Mercury (orbit radius =5.79×107km, orbital period = 88.0 days)? 4- What is the radial acceleration of the...
The radius of the Earth’s orbit around the sun (assumed to be circular) is 1.50∙10^8 km,...
The radius of the Earth’s orbit around the sun (assumed to be circular) is 1.50∙10^8 km, and the Earth travels around this obit in 365 days. The mass of the Earth is 5.97∙10^24 kg. (a)What is the magnitude of the orbital velocity of the Earth, in m/s? (b)What is the magnitude of centripetal force acting on the Earth? (c)Calculate the gravitational acceleration OF the Earth (not ON the Earth). Hint: think of your answer to part (d), and set two...
Two satellites are in circular orbits around the earth. The orbit for satellite A is at...
Two satellites are in circular orbits around the earth. The orbit for satellite A is at a height of 406 km above the earth's surface, while that for satellite B is at a height of 904 km. Find the orbital speed for satellite A and satellite B.
Two satellites are in circular orbits around the earth. The orbit for satellite A is at...
Two satellites are in circular orbits around the earth. The orbit for satellite A is at a height of 556 km above the earth’s surface, while that for satellite B is at a height of 888 km. Find the orbital speed for (a) satellite A and (b) satellite B.
A satellite in a circular orbit around the earth with a radius 1.019 times the mean...
A satellite in a circular orbit around the earth with a radius 1.019 times the mean radius of the earth is hit by an incoming meteorite. A large fragment (m = 69.0 kg) is ejected in the backwards direction so that it is stationary with respect to the earth and falls directly to the ground. Its speed just before it hits the ground is 367.0 m/s. a)Find the total work done by gravity on the satellite fragment. RE 6.37·103 km;...
1. A satellite is in a circular orbit about the earth (ME = 5.98 x 1024...
1. A satellite is in a circular orbit about the earth (ME = 5.98 x 1024 kg). The period of the satellite is 2.35 x 104 s. What is the speed at which the satellite travels? 2. Two satellites are in circular orbits around the earth. The orbit for satellite A is at a height of 545 km above the earth’s surface, while that for satellite B is at a height of 787 km. Find the orbital speed for (a)...