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.

Answered by Michael S. Physics tutor

2867 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why does a small puddle of water evaporate at room temperature, even though the temperature is way below the boiling point of water?


Explain the Doppler Shift Effect, and how it can be used to measure blood flow in the body.


How, given the threshold frequency and the kinectic enery of a photon, do you determine the frequency of the phton?


Using Newton's law of universal gravitation, show that T^2 is proportional to r^3 (where T is the orbital period of a planet around a star, and r is the distance between them).


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences