Kepler Calculations

 

            Johannes Kepler used mathematics to arrive at his third law of planetary motion.  Using the following equation, Kepler was able to figure out the orbital periods and distances from the Sun of all planets.  Today, it is your turn.  Please show your work.

 

            P2 = A3                  Where P is the orbital period and A is the distance from the Sun in Astronomical Units.

 

Please calculate the missing values

 

Planet                          Orbital Period                          Distance in AU

                                      In Earth Years

 

1. Mercury                         .24                                     ______________

 

 

2.  Venus                      _______________                              .72

 

 

3.  Earth                            1.00                                                1.00

 

 

4.  Mars                            1.88                                    ______________

 

 

5. Ceres                       ________________                               2.77

 

 

6. Jupiter                          11.86                           ______________

 

 

7.  Saturn                     ________________                            9.54

 

 

8.  Uranus                        84.07                           ______________

 

 

9.  Neptune                  _______________                              30.06

 

 

10.  Pluto                         248.60                         ______________

 

Please show all work on the back of this sheet.

 

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