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brendin
Oct 14, 2011, 07:40 PM
A satellite is in a circular orbit very close to the surface of a spherical planet. The period of the orbit is T = 2.59 hours.
What is density (mass/volume) of the planet? Assume that the planet has a uniform density.

Unknown008
Oct 15, 2011, 07:13 AM
Hm... did you try this?

F = mr\omega^2 = \frac{GMm}{r^2}

r^3\omega^2 = GM

Density = Mass / Volume

Volume = 4pir^3/3

.: Density = (3*Mass)/(4pi r^3)

\frac{\omega^2}{G} = \frac{M}{r^3}

\frac{3\omega^2}{4 \pi G} = \frac{3M}{4\pi r^3}