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Question

Mercury orbits the sun in about one-fifth of the earth year. If 1 AU is defined as the distance from the earth to the sum, what is the approximate distance between mercury and the sun?

A
1/251/3 AU
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B
1/91/3 AU
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C
1/51/3 AU
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D
1/31/3 AU
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Solution

The correct option is A 1/251/3 AU
Using Kepler's third law,
T2R3
where:
T: Time period of revolution
R: Radius of revolution

T2earthT2mercury=R3earthR3mercury
Rmercury=RearthT2/3mercuryT2/3earth
=1×(1/5)2/312/3
=(1/25)1/3 AU

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