Physlet Physics by Christian and Belloni: Problem 12.3

12.1: Projectile and Satellite Orbits
12.2: Orbits and Planetary Mass
12.3: Circular and Noncircular Motion
12.4: Angular Momentum and Area
12.5: Kepler's Second Law
12.6: Heliocentric vs. Geocentric

Problem 12.3: Determine the mass of the orbiting planets

Please wait for the animation to completely load.

Two planets orbit a star (red), whose mass is M = 7 x 10²⁵ kg as shown in the animation (position is given in 10⁶ km and time is given in Earth years). Restart.

What is the net force on the central star? Write an expression, not a numerical answer.
What is the net force on each planet? Write an expression, not a numerical answer.
Determine the mass of the orbiting planets.

Physlets were developed at Davidson College and converted from Java to JavaScript using the SwingJS system developed at St. Olaf College.

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