Question

Determine the acceleration of Earth due to its motion around the Sun. Assume the Earth's orbit to be circular with a radius of 1.5 x 10^8 km.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Given

Radius of orbit $r=1.5\times 10^8\ km$

As earth moves around sun it experiences a centripetal force on it which is given by

$a_c=\frac{v^2}{r}$

where v=velocity of earth

Time period of Revolution

$T=\frac{2\pi \cdot r}{v}$

time period is 365 days i.e. $3.153\times 10^7\ s$

$v=\frac{2\pi \times 1.5\times 10^{11}}{3.153\times 10^7}$

$v=2.98\times 10^4\ m/s$

$a_c=\frac{v^2}{r}$

$a_c=\frac{9\times 10^8}{1.5\times 10^{11}}$

$a_c=0.006\ m/s^2$

acceleration due to gravity is $9.8\ m/s^2$

$a_c$ is less than gravity