In: Physics
1)
Distance |
Orbital Period |
|
Mercury |
0.39 AU |
88 days |
Venus |
0.72 AU |
225 days |
Earth |
1.00 AU |
365 days |
Mars |
1.52 AU |
687 days |
(i) How would you calculate the average distance between planets that have different orbital periods. If so, calculate the average distance of Mercury, Venus and Mars to the Earth. Which one of these planets is the closest to Earth on average?
(ii) Calculate the average distance of Mercury, Venus and Earth to Mars. Which one of these planets is the closest to Mars on average?
Assume circular orbits and use symmetries to make the distance
calculation easier. You can
approximate the average distance by using four well-chosen points on the planet’s orbit.
Here we have calculated average distance between the planet by fixing one of the planet and taking 4 points arround the sun of the othe planet's orbit. Sorry for the poor handwriting