Calculate the orbital speed of each planet by dividing the distance it travels i
ID: 2113682 • Letter: C
Question
Calculate the orbital speed of each planet by dividing the distance it travels in its orbit by the period. The units of your answer should be AU/year. Record your answer in the table.
Object
Radius of Orbit (AU)
Circumference of Orbit (AU)
Period (years)
Orbital Speed (AU/year)
Orbital Speed (miles/hour)
Mercury
.34
.25
Venus
.72
.62
Earth
1
1
Mars
1.6
1.9
Jupiter
5.1
12.1
Saturn
9.3
30
Uranus
18.3
84
Neptune
30.1
165
Pluto
45.4
220
Comet
22.5
70
Object
Radius of Orbit (AU)
Circumference of Orbit (AU)
Period (years)
Orbital Speed (AU/year)
Orbital Speed (miles/hour)
Mercury
.34
.25
Venus
.72
.62
Earth
1
1
Mars
1.6
1.9
Jupiter
5.1
12.1
Saturn
9.3
30
Uranus
18.3
84
Neptune
30.1
165
Pluto
45.4
220
Comet
22.5
70
Explanation / Answer
speed = distance/time.
distance is circumference per period.
distance = 2(Pi)r
speed = 2(Pi)r/T
1 (au / year) = 10 604.3569 miles / hr = 1.06*10^4
Object
Radius of Orbit (AU)
Circumference of Orbit (AU)
Period (years)
Orbital Speed (AU/year)
Orbital Speed (miles/hour)
Mercury
.34
.25
8.508
Venus
.72
.62
7.292
Earth
1
1
6.28
Mars
1.6
1.9
5.288
Jupiter
5.1
12.1
2.646
Saturn
9.3
30
1.946
Uranus
18.3
84
1.368
Neptune
30.1
165
1.145
Pluto
45.4
220
1.295
Comet
22.5
70 2.01
Object
Radius of Orbit (AU)
Circumference of Orbit (AU)
Period (years)
Orbital Speed (AU/year)
Orbital Speed (miles/hour)
Mercury
.34
.25
8.508
Venus
.72
.62
7.292
Earth
1
1
6.28
Mars
1.6
1.9
5.288
Jupiter
5.1
12.1
2.646
Saturn
9.3
30
1.946
Uranus
18.3
84
1.368
Neptune
30.1
165
1.145
Pluto
45.4
220
1.295
Comet
22.5
70 2.01
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