28
QuizMultiple Choice

Cumulative Exam — Cumulative exam

Question 28 • KY-Earth, Space Science B

Rosalinda wants to calculate the mass of Earth using Kepler’s laws or Newton’s universal law of gravitation.Which data would allow her to find the mass of Earth?

Answer
A
the mass of the Sun and the orbital period of the moon
B
the moon’s orbital period and distance from Earth
C
Earth’s distance from the Sun and the moon’s orbital period
D
Earth’s orbital period and distance from the Sun

Explanation

The Moon’s orbit around Earth can be used to determine Earth’s mass. For a nearly circular orbit, the relationship is M = 4π²r³/(GT²), where r is the Moon’s distance from Earth and T is its orbital period. Choice B provides both values; the Sun’s mass or Earth’s orbit around the Sun is not needed.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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