Derive Keplers 3rd law

Equate gravitational force (GMm/r^2) to centripetal force (mv^2/r). Rearrange to get v^2=GM/r. Due to the approximated circular orbit v=2pir/T so v^2=4pi^2r^2/T^2. Therefore GM/r=4pi^2r^2/T^2. Rearranging gives GM=4pi^2r^3/T^2. Rearranging futher gets T^2=(4pi^2/GM)r^3. Hence T^2 is proportional to r^3.

MS

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

If the force between two point charges of charge 'Q1' and 'Q2' which are a distance 'r' apart is 'F' then what would the force be if the charge of 'Q1' is tripled and the distance between them doubled?


Give a brief description of the Big Bang and describe its link to cosmic microwave background radiation.


A 10m long uniform beam is pivoted in its centre. A 30kg point mass is placed on one end of the beam. Where must a 50kg mass be placed in order to balance the beam?


A cannon is fired at 30 degrees from the ground and the cannonball has initial velocity of 15 m/s. What is the height of the highest point the cannonball reaches and how far is this point horizontally from the cannon?