In this coursework I am going to investigate the relationship between the orbital period and the distance of the planet from the sun. Assume that this relationship is a power law of the form: T = KR^n

Authors Avatar

Zahra Balal        A/S Use of Maths        

Planetary Motion

Introduction:

The German astronomer Johann Kepler studied the relative motion of the planets and discovered a relationship between their orbital periods and their means distance from the sun

Aim:

In this coursework I am going to investigate the relationship between the orbital period and the distance of the planet from the sun.

Assume that this relationship is a power law of the form:

T = KR^n

T = the time for full cycle around the sun.

R = Mean distance of the planet from the sun.

Join now!

K and N are constant.

K = is the gradient

As we want to calculate the logs of R and T, we must apply to the laws of log rule number 1 which can be potted as log    xy=log x +log y.

After separating the logs we must use the log rule number 3, which is

Log x+ k log x.

Keep in mind that the transposition should end up to the linear function Y=c + mx.

  • Log k as C, which is the intercept of the line
  • N as the gradient of ...

This is a preview of the whole essay