KVPY2010PhysicsGravitation
A comet (assumed to be in an elliptical orbit around the sun) is at a distance of 0.4 AU from the sun at the per ihelion. If the time period of the comet is 125 years, what is the aphelion distance ? AU : Astronomical Unit.
Options
- A50 AU
- B25 AU
- C49.6 AU
- D24.6 AU
Correct answer
C. 49.6 AU
Step-by-step solution
r= 0.4+y 2 also ( T ₁ ~T ₂ )²= ( r ₁ r ₂ )³ by Kepler's law of time- periods ( T ₁, r ₁ . are taken for earth) ( 1 y 125 y )²= ( 1 AU ( 0.4+ y 2 ) AU )³ ving we get y =49.6 AU