Calculate the Average Distance of a Planet from the Sun
Calculating the Average Distance of a Planet from the Sun
Orbital Period^2 = Cube of Semi-Major Axis
(6.13 years)^2 = Cube of Semi-Major Axis
37.5769 = Cube of Semi-Major Axis
Now, to find the semi-major axis, we need to take the cube root of 37.5769:Cube Root of 37.5769 â 3.353 AU
Therefore, the average distance of the planet from the sun is approximately 16.17 AU (twice the value of the semi-major axis). In conclusion, by applying Kepler's third law of planetary motion, we can calculate the average distance of a planet from the sun based on its orbital period. This law helps us understand the relationship between the orbital period and the distance of a planet from its star.