A research probe orbits a newly discovered dwarf planet in a circular path of radius
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
A research probe orbits a newly discovered dwarf planet in a circular path of radius (3.10±0.02)×106m. Its measured orbital period is (8.90±0.05)×103s.
(a) Using the central values of the measurements, calculate the dwarf planet’s mass.
(b) Determine the percentage uncertainty in the calculated mass, clearly showing how the uncertainties in radius and period propagate through your calculation.