Question

What is the centripetal acceleration of the Earth as it moves in its orbit around the Sun?

Answer 1

To find,

the Centripetal acceleration of the earth towards the sun.

Solution,

Let us first calculate the time period of earth's one orbit around the sun,

=> Days *Hours*Minutes*seconds

=> (365.26)*(24)*(60)*(60) = 31558464 s

Now, we'll calculate the centripetal acceleration of the earth towards the sun,

a = v²/r = (2πr/T)²/r = 4π²r/T²

Now, taking r = 1.5 x 10¹¹m (approx. value) and T = 31558464 s

we get a = 0.0059 m/s² towards the sun

We know that mass of earth = 5.98 x 10²⁴ kg.

Therefore, the net force will be F=ma = 5.98 x 10²⁴*0.0059

=> F = 3.5 x 10²² N towards the sun

So, the centripetal force is equal to 3.5 x 10²² N and centripetal acceleration is equal to 0.0059 m/s².

Answer 2

Answer:

Explanation:

The centripetal acceleration of the Earth is a = V^2/R. The force exerted on the Earth by the sun is Me * a where Me is the mass of the Earth.