𝑇2

= 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑅3
The Law of Periods:
The square of the period (T) of
any planet is proportional to
the cube of the radius (R)* of
its orbit.
AKA Law of Harmonies
* technically, it’s the semimajor axis so
some references use the symbol a
 This Law can be derived using Newton’s Law of
Universal Gravitation.
It is also said that Newton first formulated the law of
gravitation from Kepler's 3rd law.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kepler.html
1. Compute the period of Saturn using Kepler’s 3rd Law.
Msun = 1.99 x 1030 kg
𝑇2
= Suppose a small planet is discovered
𝑅3 that is 14.0 times as far from the sun
𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 as the Earth's distance is from the
sun (1.50 x 1011 m).

The ratio T2/R3 is 2.97 x 10-19 s2/m3

Use Kepler's law of harmonies to predict

the orbital period of such a planet
(in Earth years). Ans. 52.6 years
 3. Galileo is often credited with the early
𝑇2 discovery of four of Jupiter's many
= moons. The moons orbiting Jupiter follow
𝑅3 the same laws of motion as the planets
𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 orbiting the sun. One of the moons is
called Io - its distance from Jupiter's
center is 4.2 units and it orbits Jupiter in
1.8 Earth-days. Another moon is called
Ganymede; it is 10.7 units from Jupiter's
center.
Make a prediction of the period (in Earth-days) of
Ganymede using Kepler's law of harmonies.
Ans. 7.32 days
Why can’t you use formula #2?