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Re: Mass of Jupiter



The mass of any satellite orbiting a central object (M) is proportional to
the cube of the orbital radius (r) and is inversely proportional to the
square of the orbital period (T). The relationship is
M = 4(pi)*2 r*3/G T*2
where G is the universal gravitational constant.
This is derived by equating the centripetal and gravitational forces acting
on the satellite
So the mass of any planet can be calculated from measured values of its
average distance from the sun and its orbital period.

Paul O. Johnson
Collin County College

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Curtin" <curtin@CCDS.CHARLOTTE.NC.US>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2001 2:10 PM
Subject: Mass of Jupiter


A student asked me today, how they come up with the masses of the planets
listed in the front of our text. I couldn't answer him. Can anyone out
there? Thanks.


--------------
Ron Curtin
Physics Instructor
Charlotte Country Day School
Charlotte, NC 28226
(704) 943-4690 Ext. 6159