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1(c)3 marks

The Earth has mass M, radius R and mean density ρ, and the Moon is in a circular orbit of radius nR about the Earth with period T, where ρ = 3πn³/(GT²).

The radius R of the Earth is 6.38 × 10⁶ m and the distance between the centre of the Earth and the centre of the Moon is 3.84 × 10⁸ m.

The period T of the orbit of the Moon about the Earth is 27.3 days.

Use the expression in (b) to calculate ρ.

9702/04/SP/22Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702 · Specimen 2022 · Paper 4 · Question 1(c)

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Suggested time: 5 min