Chapter 13, Problem 9CQ

The mass of Jupiter is 300 times the mass of the earth. Jupiter orbits the sun with $T_{\text{Jupiter}}=\text{ 11}.\text{9 yr}$ in an orbit with $r_{\text{Jupiter}}=\text{ 5}.\text{2}{r}_{\text{earth}}$ . Suppose the earth could be moved to the distance of Jupiter and placed in a circular orbit around the sun. Which of the following describes the earth’s new period? Explain.

1. I yr
2. Between I yr and 11.9 yr
3. 11.9 yr
4. More than 11.9 yr
5. It would depend on the earth’s speed.

It’s impossible for a planet of earth’s mass to orbit at the distance of Jupiter.