Because of mutual gravitational forces between the satellites and the planet, the orbital periods of the three inner Galilean satellites of Jupiter are in the ratio:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The orbital period is proportional to the 3/2 power of the semi-major axis, so the ratio of the two should be (a/b)^(3/2)=2, and (b/c)^(3/2)=2. Solving these equations, we get a:b:c=1:2:4, giving us choice D as the correct answer.

Because of Mutual Gravitational Forces Between the Satellites and the Planet