Answer:
M_e = 6.04 * 10^24 kg
Explanation:
Given:
- The time period of moon orbit T = 27.32 days
- Distance from center of earth to moon r = 238,910 miles
- The gravitational constant G = 6.67408 * 10^-11
Find:
- Determine the mass of the earth
Solution:
- The mass of earth as a function of time period T and radius of orbit r is related by an expression as follows:
M_e = (2*pi / T)^2 * (r^3 / G)
M_e = (2*pi / 27.32*24*60*60)^2 * (238910*1609 / 6.67408 *10^-11)
M_e = 6.04 * 10^24 kg