Question

Saturn has an orbital period of 29.46 years and it's average distance to the sun is 9.54 AU if Venus has an orbital period of 0.62 years what is its average distance to the sun in AU

Answer 1

15.66 AU

Step-by-step explanation:

Using Kepler's law which states that T² ∝ R³ where T = period of planet and R = distance of planet from sun.

So T₁²/T₂² = R₁³/R₂³

where T₁ = orbital period of Saturn = 29.46 years

T₂ = orbital period of Venus = 0.62 years

R₁ = average distance of Saturn to the sun = 9.54 AU

R₂ = average distance of Venus to the sun = ?

From the equation above,

R₂³ = (T₂²/T₁²)R₁³

R₂ = [∛(T₂/T₁)²]R₁

R₂ = [∛(0.62/29.46)²]9.54 AU

R₂ = [∛(0.021)²]9.54 AU

R₂ = [∛0.000443]9.54 AU

R₂ = [0.0762]9.54 AU

R₂ = 0.727 AU

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

Saturn orbital period

p(s)= 29.46years

Average distance

a(s) = 9.54AU

Venus orbital period

p(v) = 0.62 years

a(v) ?

Using Kepler's third law

a³ ∝p²

a³ = kp²

a³/p² = k

Where

a is the distance if planet from sun

T is the period of the planet

Then,

a(Venus)³/p(venus)² = a(saturn)³/p(saturn)²

a(v)³/p(v)² = a(s)³/p(s)²

a(v) ³/ 0.62² = 9.54³/29.46²

a(v) ³/ 0.62² = 1.0004

a(v)³ = 1.0004× 0.62²

a(v)³ = 0.3846

a(v) = cube root(0.3846)

a(v) = 0.727 AU