Planetary Sciences: Earth and Beyond (GNR 649)

Assignment – 01
Remarks:
• Total Marks: 5
• Password: UEJPBCXG
• Quick Quiz Code: WKMMPIKI
• Link: https://kiwi.safe-analytics.in/api/quiz/qqc/WKMMPIKI/

Question 1: (Marks 1) Calculate the velocity of the Earth (in km/s) in its orbit around the
Sun given that:
M = 1.99×1030 kg (mass of the Sun)
r = 149.6×109 m (radius of the orbit of the Earth)
G = 6.67 × 10−11 Nm2/kg2 (gravitational constant)

Question 2: (Marks 1) Calculate the average orbital velocity of the Earth (in km/s) in its orbit
around the Sun given that:
r = 149.6×109 m (radius of the orbit of the Earth)
p = 365.25 days (time required for the Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun)
C = 2πr (circumference of a circle)

Question 3: (Marks 1) Calculate the escape velocity from the surface of Mars, given that
M = 6.42×1023 kg (mass of planet Mars)
r = 3393.5 km (radius of Mars)
G = 6.67 × 10−11 Nm2/kg2 (gravitational constant)
Question 4: (Marks 2) Using Kepler’s third law, calculate the average distance (in km) of a
satellite in a “geostationary orbit” (i.e., whose period of revolution is equal to the period of
rotation of the Earth) from the surface of the Earth at the equator.
M = 5.98×1024 kg (mass of Earth)
R = 6378 km (radius of Earth at the Equator)
p= 24 hours (period of rotation of the Earth)