Neptune circles the Sun at a distance of 4.50 × 10¹² m once every 164 years. Saturn circles the Sun at a distance of 1.43 × 10¹² m. What is the orbital period of Saturn? A)304 years B)121 years C)109 years D)88.6 years E)29.4 years

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using Kepler's Third Law, the square of the orbital period is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit. Comparing Saturn and Neptune: (T_Saturn/T_Neptune)^2 = (R_Saturn/R_Neptune)^3. Solving for T_Saturn gives approximately 29.4 years.

Neptune Circles the Sun at a Distance of 4