In: Physics
What is the orbital period (in years) of a planet with a semimajor axis of 15 AU?
for elliptical orbit,
T = 2pi sqrt(a^3 / G M )
G M = 6.67 x 10^-11 x 1.99 x 10^30
G M = 1.3273 x 10^20
and a = 15 AU = 15 x 1.496 x 10^11 m
putting in,
T = 1.833 x 10^9 sec
T (in years) = (1.833 x 10^9 sec) / (365 x 24 x 3600 sec/year)
T = 58.1 years