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
Answered by Michael S. Physics tutor

4386 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Topic - force as rate of change of momentum; (i) force on a wall due to water from a hose, (ii) force on a table as a rope is dropped onto it.


A gun of mass 10kg fires a bullet of mass 240g at a speed of 300ms-1. What is the speed of the gun's recoil?


Describe and explain the photoelectric effect in terms of photons interacting with the surface of a metal.


What is natural frequency and how is it associated with resonance?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning