For a planet orbiting the sun, rp
is the distance from the sun to the perihelion and ra
is the distance from the sun to the aphelion. What is a planet’s orbital eccentricity if rp is equal to 0.45ra?
(1 point)
2.64
2.64
0.38
0.38
0.55
0.55
1.45
The planet's orbital eccentricity can be calculated using the formula:
eccentricity = (ra - rp) / (ra + rp)
Given that rp is equal to 0.45ra, we substitute this value into the formula:
eccentricity = (ra - 0.45ra) / (ra + 0.45ra)
Simplifying this expression:
eccentricity = 0.55ra / 1.45ra
eccentricity = 0.55 / 1.45
Thus, the planet's orbital eccentricity is 0.38.
To find the planet's orbital eccentricity, we need to use the formula:
eccentricity (e) = (ra - rp) / (ra + rp)
Given that rp = 0.45ra, we can substitute the values:
eccentricity (e) = (ra - 0.45ra) / (ra + 0.45ra)
Simplifying the equation:
eccentricity (e) = (0.55ra) / (1.45ra)
eccentricity (e) = 0.55 / 1.45
Thus, the planet's orbital eccentricity is approximately 0.38.
Therefore, the correct answer is 0.38.
To determine a planet's orbital eccentricity, you can use the formula:
eccentricity = (ra - rp) / (ra + rp)
Given that rp is equal to 0.45 times ra, we can substitute these values into the formula:
eccentricity = (ra - 0.45ra) / (ra + 0.45ra)
Simplifying this expression:
eccentricity = 0.55ra / 1.45ra
eccentricity = 0.55 / 1.45
eccentricity ≈ 0.3793
Rounded to two decimal places, the planet’s orbital eccentricity is approximately 0.38.