A hypothetical planet orbits the Sun a distance of 4 AU.What is its orbital period?
A)4 years
B)8 years
C)16 years
D)64 years

Name: A hypothetical planet orbits the Sun a distance of 4 AU.What is its orbital period? A)4 years B)8 years C)16 years D)64 years
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Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Kepler's Third Law, the square of the orbital period (in years) is equal to the cube of the semi-major axis (in astronomical units). Therefore, $ T^2 = a^3 $, so $ T^2 = 4^3 = 64 $, and $ T = \sqrt{64} = 8 $ years.

A Hypothetical Planet Orbits the Sun a Distance of 4