The equation [tex]\( T^2 = A^3 \)[/tex] shows the relationship between a planet's orbital period, [tex]\( T \)[/tex], and the planet's mean distance from the sun, [tex]\( A \)[/tex], in astronomical units (AU).

If the orbital period of planet [tex]\( Y \)[/tex] is twice the orbital period of planet [tex]\( X \)[/tex], by what factor is the mean distance increased?

A. [tex]\( 2^{\frac{1}{3}} \)[/tex]
B. [tex]\( 2^{\frac{1}{2}} \)[/tex]
C. [tex]\( 2^{\frac{2}{3}} \)[/tex]
D. [tex]\( 2^{\frac{3}{2}} \)[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the factor by which the mean distance is increased when the orbital period of planet [tex]\( Y \)[/tex] is twice the orbital period of planet [tex]\( X \)[/tex], we start with Kepler’s third law, represented by the equation [tex]\( T^2 = A^3 \)[/tex], where:

- [tex]\( T \)[/tex] is the orbital period of a planet.
- [tex]\( A \)[/tex] is the mean distance from the sun in astronomical units (AU).

Given:

- [tex]\( T_Y = 2 T_X \)[/tex], where [tex]\( T_Y \)[/tex] is the orbital period of planet [tex]\( Y \)[/tex] and [tex]\( T_X \)[/tex] is the orbital period of planet [tex]\( X \)[/tex].

We need to find how much [tex]\( A_Y \)[/tex], the mean distance of planet [tex]\( Y \)[/tex], increases relative to [tex]\( A_X \)[/tex], the mean distance of planet [tex]\( X \)[/tex].

1. Start with the given relationship for planet [tex]\( X \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ T_X^2 = A_X^3 \][/tex]

2. Given [tex]\( T_Y = 2 T_X \)[/tex], substitute into Kepler’s third law for planet [tex]\( Y \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ (2 T_X)^2 = A_Y^3 \][/tex]

3. Simplify the left side:
[tex]\[ 4 T_X^2 = A_Y^3 \][/tex]

4. From [tex]\( T_X^2 = A_X^3 \)[/tex], substitute [tex]\( A_X^3 \)[/tex] for [tex]\( T_X^2 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 4 A_X^3 = A_Y^3 \][/tex]

5. To find the factor by which the mean distance is increased, solve for the ratio [tex]\( \frac{A_Y}{A_X} \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \left( \frac{A_Y}{A_X} \right)^3 = 4 \][/tex]

6. Taking the cube root of both sides:
[tex]\[ \frac{A_Y}{A_X} = 4^{1/3} \][/tex]

Since [tex]\( 4 = 2^2 \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ 4^{1/3} = (2^2)^{1/3} = 2^{2/3} \][/tex]

Hence, the factor by which the mean distance is increased is:

[tex]\[ 2^{2/3} \][/tex]

So, the correct answer is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{2^{\frac{2}{3}}} \][/tex]

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