Homework 8 due Friday, March 5

  1. A general rule for superior planets is that the greater the average distance from the planet to the Sun, the more frequently that planet will be at opposition. Explain how this rule comes about.

  2. A certain asteroid is 2 AU from the Sun at perihelion and 6 AU from the Sun at aphelion.

    3. a). Find the semimajor axis of the asteroid's orbit.

    b). Find the sidereal period of the orbit.

  3. Suppose that you traveled to a planet with 3 times the mass and 3 times the diameter of the Earth. Would you weigh more of less on that planet than on Earth? By what factor? Show your work.

  4. How much greater is the Earth's gravitational force on the Moon than the Moon's gravitational force on the Earth?

  5. A satellite in earth orbit experiences a small drag force as it starts to enter the earth's atmosphere What happens to its speed? Explain your answer.