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How does the mass of a planet relate to its distance from the sun?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
There is no necessary connection between mass and distance.
The mass of a planet does not affect its orbital speed, for example.
However the "giant planets" are further from the Sun than the less massive "terrestrial planets".
The outer (more massive planets) contain a lot of gases. So, they would surely lose a lot of their mass if they were nearer the Sun.
(In fact, we have found planets called "hot Jupiters" orbiting other stars.
These are Jupiter type planets, but they orbit very close to their star.)
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
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The size of a planet's orbit is determined by?
The mass of the planet, the mass of the sun and the distance between the two.
Does More Mass Planet Less Mass Planet attract to the sun more?
A more massive planet is attracted more by the Sun if other things like the distance are equal. The force of gravity on a planet is proportional to the mass of the planet and inversely proportional to the sare of the distance.
Is there a relationship between the distance a planet is from the sun and its surface gravity?
No. The strength of surface gravity on a planet depends on its size and mass.
Does a planet have less gravity if it is further away from the sun?
No. The surface gravity of a planet is a product of its size and mass. It has nothing to do with distance from the sun. However, a planet farther away from the sun will experience a weaker pull from the sun's gravity.
Does a planet's distance from the sun relate to the time it takes to revolve around the sun?
Yes, its all to do with Kepler's third law of planetary motion, which describes the relationship between the orbital period of the plant and the distance of that planet from the sun. Kepler found that the square of the period, P, is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis, a (P2 = ka3). The planets orbit the sun in an ellispse, the semi major axis is the `longest radius` within this ellipse. Kepler found that a constant `k` was needed in the equation - this was later found to relate to the mass of the objects. The planets mass is usually a lot less than the star its orbiting, so can often be dropped from the equation.
The size of a planet's orbit is determined by?
The mass of the planet, the mass of the sun and the distance between the two.
A planet's motion around the Sun is the result of what two factors?
The mass of the Sun and the planet, and their distance.
How big will a planet be if it is located far from the sun?
The size of a planet is not related to it's distance from the sun. Planet mass and orbital velocity are factors that determine it's distance from the sun.
Does More Mass Planet Less Mass Planet attract to the sun more?
A more massive planet is attracted more by the Sun if other things like the distance are equal. The force of gravity on a planet is proportional to the mass of the planet and inversely proportional to the sare of the distance.
If the planet has less gravitation pull does that effect the speed it orbits around the Sun?
No. A planet's gravitational pull is determined by the planet's mass. A planet's orbital speed is determined by the the mass of the Sun and the planet's distance from the Sun.
What is most important for determining the type of atmosphere a planet has?
mass of the planet and the distance from the sun
Does a planet distance from the sun relate to the time it takes the planet to revolve around the sun?
Yes, its all to do with Kepler's third law of planetary motion, which describes the relationship between the orbital period of the plant and the distance of that planet from the sun. Kepler found that the square of the period, P, is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis, a (P2 = ka3). k is a constant relating to the mass of the objects.
Orbital speed is the speed with which a planet moves around the Sun This speed is determined by?
The mass of the Sun and the distance between the planet and Sun. As the Sun's mass is (more or less) constant, all we need to know is the distance. Technically this is called the "semi major axis" of the elliptical orbit. (If you wanted to be really, really accurate the mass of the planet does have a very very small effect.)
Is there a relationship between the distance a planet is from the sun and its surface gravity?
No. The strength of surface gravity on a planet depends on its size and mass.
Does a planet have less gravity if it is further away from the sun?
No. The surface gravity of a planet is a product of its size and mass. It has nothing to do with distance from the sun. However, a planet farther away from the sun will experience a weaker pull from the sun's gravity.
Generally speaking how does the mass of a planet relate to it's distance from the sun?
We do not yet have enough information about the relationship (if any) between the planet's distance from the primary and its mass. Our information on the mass and orbital distances is skewed by method of detection of exoplanets; occultation of the primary by the planet. This method detects very large planets more easily than smaller ones, and depends on us viewing across the orbital plane of the planetary system. Otherwise, we wouldn't see occultations at all.
How do you calculate a planet's mass when given orbital speed and distance from sun?
Neither of those numbers depends on the planet's mass. So knowing them doesn't enable you to calculate it.
