- #1
Mastablade
- 4
- 0
Homework Statement
A comet passes the sun at a distance of closest approach R = 6 * 10^8 m and speed 8 * 10^5 m/sec. How long will it take to travel 80 degrees around its orbit from the point of closest approach.
Homework Equations
omega = velocity / radius
The Attempt at a Solution
Since we can get omega from the above information, I should only have to integrate omega and set that equal to 80 degrees (or 4/9 pi radians)
omega = 8 * 10^5 / (6 * 10^8) or 1/750
the integral of this makes 1/750t and set that equal to 4/9 pi radians so,
t = (750 * 4 * pi)/9
t = 1047.2 seconds
I am not sure if this is the proper way of writing this equation and confirmation would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.