If objects in the asteroid belt are prevented from occupying an orbit for which their period would be one-third of that of Jupiter because of repeated gravitational disturbances, at what distance would you expect a gap in the asteroid belt?
A)1.0 au
B)7.86 au
C)3.28 au
D)2.5 au

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gap occurs at a distance where the orbital period is one-third of Jupiter's. Using Kepler's third law, the semi-major axis for this period is approximately 2.5 au.

If Objects in the Asteroid Belt Are Prevented from Occupying