(a) The Sun orbits the Milky Way galaxy once each 2.60 x 108 y, with a roughly circular orbit averaging 3.00 x 104 light years in radius. (A light year is the distance traveled by light in 1 y.) Calculate the centripetal acceleration of the Sun in its galactic orbit. Does your result support the contention that a nearly inertial frame of reference can be located at the Sun? (b) Calculate the average speed of the Sun in its galactic orbit. Does the answer surprise you?

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(a) The Sun orbits the Milky Way galaxy once each 2.60 x 108 y, with a roughly circular orbit averaging 3.00 x 104 light years in radius. (A light year is the distance traveled by light in 1 y.) Calculate the centripetal acceleration of the Sun in its galactic orbit. Does your result support the contention that a nearly inertial frame of reference can be located at the Sun?

(b) Calculate the average speed of the Sun in its galactic orbit. Does the answer surprise you?

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