Physics 6

Laboratory Section: 4061

Laboratory # 6: The Ballistic Pendulum and Projectile Motion RODNEY PUJADA Partners: Melissa Yousefi Kentrice Jones Ricardo Hernandez Stephanie Yu Stephanie Yao Shaleekha Sharma Thien Nguyen Vy Thuy LE Performance Date: 10/12/2011, Submission Date: 10/19/2011 Professor: Miguel Angel Moreno, Ph.D.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction 1 2. Purpose . 1 3. Equipment .. 1 4. Procedure .. 2 4.1 Ballistic Pendulum 4.2 Determining the initial speed of the launched ball via max height measurement 5. Experimental Data and Calculations .. 3 PART A: Ballistic Pendulum 5.1 Calculate Kinetic Energy 5.2 Calculate the Momentum of the projectile 5.3 Calculate the Potential Energy 5.4 Calculate the velocity of the projectile 5.5 Relative Error Estimate and Analysis PART B: Determining the initial speed of the launched ball via max height measurement 6. Experimental Results ... 6 7. discussion and conclusions 7 8. Assignment 7-11

1. INTRODUCTION

We know that if there is no external net force acting on a system, linear momentum is a conserved quantity in collisions. We also know that for elastic collisions, kinetic energy is also a conserved quantity. How can these ideas be applied to the case of a ballistic pendulum, where a ball is fired at some initial speed into a pendulum catcher which is connected to a string and swings like a pendulum? We will neglect the effects of air resistance and internal friction in the system. Let us first consider the first part of this motion, the collision of the moving ball with the stationary pendulum. After colliding, the ball is stuck in the pendulum and both are moving with the same velocity. We know this to be a perfectly inelastic collision which means that the kinetic energy in the system will not be conserved. The momentum of the system, however, will be conserved. Conservation of momentum may be applied assuming all motion is in the horizontal direction: Pinitial = Pfinal or mb * Vob + mc * voc = (mb + mc) vfinal (1.1) where mb refers to the mass of the ball and mc refers to the mass of the catcher. Since, for this particular case, the initial velocity of the catcher is zero, we can solve for the final velocity of the system: vfinal = (mb * vob ) / (mb + mc) (1.2) Now we have a catcher, with ball stuck inside, moving horizontally at some speed. Since the catcher is attached to a string of fixed length, it will behave as a pendulum, swinging up in an arc of some fixed radius. We are neglecting air resistance which leaves gravity and the tension force due to the string as the only forces acting on the pendulum. Gravity is a conservative force which means work done by it may be described in a potential energy term. Since the Tension force due to the string always acts perpendicular to the motion of the pendulum, this force does zero work at all times. Since there is no work done on the system, catcher and gravitational field, by non-conservative or external forces, the total mechanical energy of this system must be conserved. There is kinetic energy stored in the motion of the masses and there is gravitational potential energy due to the vertical position of these masses. Conservation of mechanical energy means: Ugravinit. + KEinit. = Ugrav final + KEfinal (1.3) The gravitational potential energy due the position of a mass is just mgy where y is the vertical position of that mass m. If we call the initial location of the catcher the vertical origin, then the initial gravitational potential energy is zero. As the pendulum swings up it loses kinetic energy and an equal amount of potential energy is stored in the gravitational field. When the pendulum reaches its highest vertical position, the kinetic energy of the system is zero, KEfinal = 0. Substitution into equation 1.3 yields:

(mb + mc)* v final 2 = (mb + mc) * gy (1.4) 2 where y is the final vertical position of the pendulum and vfinal is the final speed of the catcher after the initial collision with the ball. We know this speed from equation 1.2 so substitution will give us a theoretical equation for the final vertical position of the ballistic pendulum:

The objective of the experiment is to measure the speed at which a projectile leaves a spring gun and to predict the landing point when the projectile is fired at a nonzero angle of elevation. This was accomplished using projectile motion equations and a Beck ballistic Pendulum, as well as measuring instruments.
3. EQUIPMENT The ballistic pendulum apparatus, a projectile launcher, ruler, meterstick, a balance, steel ball

2. PURPOSE: The purpose of this laboratory is To demonstrate the law of conservation of Energy To demonstrate the law of conservation of momentum To fins the velocity of a projectile

4. PROCEDURE 4.1) THE BALLISTIC PENDULUM APPARATUS a. Measure and record the mass of the catcher. Attach the catcher to the upper connection plate such that the catcher is level and free to swing. The length of string between the catcher and the top connection panel should be approximately 40 cm. b. Mount the launcher on the tabletop and adjust it such that it again will fire a ball horizontally. Adjust the height of the top panel such that the steel ball may again be launched directly into the catcher. If the ball is fired into the catcher, it should swing up and out some distance.

c. A fifth string should be hanging free from the catcher. The free end of this string should be attached to the Velcro assembly on the launcher apparatus. d. Fire the ball into the catcher and notice how much string is pulled through the 3 Velcro. Reduce the length of string between the launcher and catcher just slightly. If the ball was to be fired again, just a small extra length of string would now be pulled through the Velcro. f. Fire the ball into the catcher. You may now determine the final vertical position of the catcher after catching the ball. To do this, by hand, move the pendulum along its path until the fifth string is again taut. With the pendulum in this position, measure its final vertical position using the meterstick. Lower the pendulum back to its equilibrium position and measure its initial vertical position. Record these values as well as the length of the pendulum. g. Repeat this procedure four more times using the steel ball. h. Measure the mass of the ball and record on the worksheet. Measure and record the mass of the pendulum. Measure the length of the pendulum from the pivot to the center of mass. The center of mass is located at the balance point, with the ball locked in the pendulum bob. Approximately the center of the upper curve in the side window on the bob. i. Fire the ball, and using the angle indicator record the maximum angle. Repeat for 4 total trials. 4.2) Determining the initial speed of the launched ball via max height measurement a. Measure the height H from the point where the ball is launched to the floor ( see fig). Note that H is the distance between the floor and the bottom of the ball, which is resting on the spring gun shaft. Obtain five values of H and estimate the experimental error in the values of H. b. Use the plumb bob to find the point on the floor directly below the launch point of the ball on the gun (before it is cocked) to the floor. c. Position the pendulum as shown in Figure, so that it will not interfere with the free flight of the ball. Locate the general area of the balls impact on the floor by launching the ball a few times. Several observers should watch to help determine the point at which the ball strikes the floor. Tape two pieces of paper on the floor to cover the general area of the expected impact. Launch the ball once more and note the visible impact that the ball leaves on the paper. Adjust the paper if necessary. Place a pencil mark in the center of the impact. d. Make 4 launchings. Once all launching is complete measure and record the range X for each launch. Range X is measured from the point directly below the launch point to the point of

impact of the steel ball on the floor. Tabulate measurement of X and estimate the experimental error in the values of X. e. Measure and record the mass of the steel ball.

Note to Remember:

5. EXPERIMENTAL DATA AND CALCULATIONS

Table No 1: Experimental Data.

Part A: Pendulum Ballistic Measurement h (meter) 0.089 0.086 0.085 0.084 0.086 Part B: Projectile motion Measurement X (meter) 2.973 2.943 2.929 2.907 2.930

No Trial 1 2 3 4 Average

Part A: Ballistic Pendulum Measurement

m = 0.667 Kg M = 2.855 Kg M+ m = 3.522 Kg h average =h 1-h2 = 0.086 Part B: Determining the initial speed of the launched ball via max height measurement H = 95.5 cm = 0.955

PART A:

Ballistic Pendulum

Apparatus 5.1 Calculate the average values of h.

Data from Table No 1 From Trial No 1 : h initial = 7.3 cm = 0.073 m h final = 16.2 cm = 0.162 m h = h final - h initial h= 0.162 m 0.073 m = 0.089 m Then the average from the Table No 1 h = 0.086 m 5.2 Calculate Potential Energy Data:
m = 0.667 Kg M = 2.855 Kg M+ m = 3.522 Kg h average =h 1-h2 = 0.086 m g =9.81 m/s

Formula of Potential Energy: PE = (M+m) gh (Eq.1) Replace from the data in Equation 1: Where h is the average height in meters. PE average= (2.855 Kg + 0.667 Kg) (9.81 m/s2)(0.086 m) PE average = 2.971 Kg * m2 / s2 = 2.971 N*m = 2.971 Joule PE average = 2.971 Joule

5.3 Velocity U in meter/second From the figure U = ( 2* g* h) .... (Eq.2) Where g =9.81 m/s and h average =h 1-h2 = 0.086 m Replace the data in the formula U = ( 2* g* h) U = ( 2* 9.81 m/s2 * 0.086 m) U = 1.29 m/s 5.4 Calculate Kinetic Energy
Formula of Kinetic Energy: KE = (M+m) U 2 (Eq.3) Replace from the data in Equation : Where U is the average velocity in meter/second KEaverage = (M+m) U 2 = (2.855 Kg + 0.667 Kg) (1.29 m/s)2 KE average = 2.971 Kg * m2 / s2 = 2.971 N*m = 2.971 Joule PE average = 2.971 Joule

5.5 Calculate the velocity of the projectile From the figure, we calculate V = (m+M) *U / m

Replace from the data in Equation : Where h is the average height in meters. V average= (2.855 Kg + 0.667 Kg) (1.29 m/s) / (0.086 m) V average = 6.859 m/s V average = 6.86 m/s

5.6 Calculate the Momentum of the projectile

By the formula

Data:
m projectile = 0.667 Kg V projectile = 6.86 m/s Replace in the formula: P initial = m V = 0.667 Kg * 6.86 m/s = P initial = 4.57562 Kg* m/s = 4.57 N P initial = 4.57 N

PART B:

Determining the initial speed of the launched ball via max height measurement From the formula the initial velocity of the projectile is

V initial = X ( g/ (2 H) ) Replace the data from tableNo1 V initial = (0.955 m ( 9.81 m/s2/ (2 * 0.955 m) ) = 6.641 m/s V initial = 6.641 m/s 5.6. Error Estimate and Analysis Error estimate and analysis % relative error = [velocity in part A (Voa)- velocity in par B (Vob)]*100 velocity in par B (Vob) Data: Vmethod part A = 0.516 m/s2 Vmethod part A = 0.516 m/s2 Replace in the formula: % relative error = (2.72 m/s2 0.52 m/s2 ) *100 % relative error = 423%

6. RESULT OF THE EXPERIMENT Part A: Ballistic pendulum Apparatus

h (meter ) Potential Energy PE=(M+m)gh Velocity U V=SQRT(2gh ) Kinetic Energy KE=0.5(M+m)U 2 Velocity of the projectile v= (m+M)*U/m

0.089 0.086 0.085 0.084 0.086 0.086

Joule 3.075 2.971 2.937 2.902 2.971 2.971

(m/s) 1.321 1.299 1.291 1.284 1.299 1.299

Joule 3.075 2.971 2.937 2.902 2.971 2.971

(m/s) 6.978 6.859 6.819 6.779 6.859 6.859

Part B: Projectile Motion X (m) 2.973 2.943 2.929 2.907 2.9 2.930 Velocity of the projectile Vo = X*SQRT(g/(2*H)) (m/s) 6.738 6.670 6.638 6.588 6.572 6.641

Comparing the results between experiment A and B,

Velocity of the projectile Velocity of the projectile

Momentum (N) 4.654326 4.574953 4.548273 4.521593 4.574953 4.574953

% Errror

No trial 1 2 3 4 5 Averag e

PART A (m/s) 6.978 6.859 6.819 6.779 6.859 6.859

PART B (m/s) 6.738 6.67 6.638 6.588 6.572 6.641

-3.44 -2.76 -2.65 -2.82 -4.18 -3.18

7. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION. The goal of this experiment was to apply practical results to the motion equations. The first portion of the experiment allowed the group to calculate air time when the gun was fired horizontally. This was accomplished using the equation for the vertical distance (displayed above in sample calculations) to discover time was .451752 seconds, when after firing the gun seemed to be an approximate figure. After firing the spring gun in the horizontal position, the total distance was measured to be 1.105 meters. Using this figure along with the equation for the horizontal distance (also displayed above) the initial horizontal velocity was determined to be 2.44 meters per second. Considering the distance and time, this also seemed to be an approximate figure.

The next part of the experiment involved the gun being fired at an angle of 45 degrees. Again, the horizontal range of the ball was calculated using the horizontal distance equation of motion to determine that the ball would land 1.18 meters away from the gun. After firing the gun three times at the 45 degree angle of inclination, the actual average distance was found to be 1.17 meters, a difference of .85 percent.

8. ASSIGNMENT

1. Write the statement of the law of conservation of energy The conservation of energy or "law of conservation of energy" one of the conservation laws, states that energy can be transferred from one form to another but cannot be created or destroyed. In generalized form, the conservation of energy is a statement that, while energy can be converted from one form to another, e.g. kinetic, electrostatic, gravitational, chemical, nuclear, and others, the total amount of energy in the universe (isolated system) never changes. We now turn to something which we have not studied so far, but we shall employ those concepts to complete the picture of conservation of energy in the most general case. Without going into detail, we shall refer to a consideration of thermodynamics. Work on the system, besides bringing change in the kinetic energy, also brings about change in the internal energy of the system. Similarly, combination of internal and external forces can bring about change in other forms of energy as well. Hence, we can rewrite Work-kinetic energy expression as : This equation brings us close to the formulation of conservation of energy in general. We need to interpret this equation in the suitable context of system type. We can easily see here that we have developed this equation for a system, which allows energy transfers through work by external force. Hence, context here is that of special closed system, which allows transfer of energy only through work by external force. What if we choose a system boundary such that there is no external force. In that case, closed system becomes isolated system and

Above two equations are the mathematical expressions of conservation of energy in the most general case. We read this law in words in two ways corresponding to above two equations. Definition 1: The change in the total energy of an isolated system is zero. Definition 2: The total energy of an isolated system cannot change. From above two interpretations, it emerges that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. 2.Write te statement of the law of conservation of momentum One of the most powerful laws in physics is the law of momentum conservation. The law of momentum conservation can be stated as follows. For a collision occurring between object 1 and object 2 in an isolated system, the total momentum of the two objects before the collision is equal to the total momentum of the two objects after the collision. That is, the momentum lost by object 1 is equal to the momentum gained by object 2. For example:

Many people are familiar with the fact that a rifle recoils when fired. This recoil is the result of action-reaction force pairs. A gunpowder explosion creates hot gases that expand outward allowing the rifle to push forward on the bullet. Consistent with Newton's third law of motion, the bullet pushes backwards upon the rifle. The acceleration of the recoiling rifle is smaller than the acceleration of the bullet.

3. Go the following projectile simulation web sites and performs 10 simulations with and without air friction and compare them

http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/109N/more_stuff/Applets/Projectile Motion/jarapplet.html

http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/projectile.htm http://wwww.ngsir.netfirms.com/englishhtm/ThrowABall.htm What are your quantitative results What are your conclusions? Investigate satellite motion search for computer simulations Mathematics of Satellite Motion The motion of objects is governed by Newton's laws. The same simple laws that govern the motion of objects on earth also extend to the heavens to govern the motion of planets, moons, and other satellites. The mathematics that describes a satellite's motion is the same mathematics presented for circular motion in Lesson 1. In this part of Lesson 4, we will be concerned with the variety of mathematical equations that describe the motion of satellites. Consider a satellite with mass Msat orbiting a central body with a mass of mass MCentral. The central body could be a planet, the sun or some other large mass capable of causing sufficient acceleration on a less massive nearby object. If the satellite moves in circular motion, then the net centripetal force acting upon this orbiting satellite is given by the relationship
Fnet = ( Msat v2 ) / R

This net centripetal force is the result of the gravitational force that attracts the satellite towards the central body and can be represented as
Fgrav = ( G Msat MCentral ) / R2

Since Fgrav = Fnet, the above expressions for centripetal force and gravitational force can be set equal to each other. Thus,
(Msat v2) / R = (G Msat MCentral ) / R2

Observe that the mass of the satellite is present on both sides of the equation; thus it can be canceled by dividing through by Msat. Then both sides of the equation can be multiplied by R, leaving the following equation.
v2 = (G MCentral ) / R

Taking the square root of each side, leaves the following equation for the velocity of a satellite moving about a central body in circular motion

where G is 6.673 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2, Mcentral is the mass of the central body about which the satellite orbits, and R is the radius of orbit for the satellite. Similar reasoning can be used to determine an equation for the acceleration of our satellite that is expressed in terms of masses and radius of orbit. The acceleration value of a satellite is equal to the acceleration of gravity of the satellite at whatever location that it is orbiting. In Lesson 3, the equation for the acceleration of gravity was given as
g = (G Mcentral)/R2

Thus, the acceleration of a satellite in circular motion about some central body is given by the following equation

where G is 6.673 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2, Mcentral is the mass of the central body about which the satellite orbits, and R is the average radius of orbit for the satellite. The final equation that is useful in describing the motion of satellites is Newton's form of Kepler's third law. Since the logic behind the development of the equation has been presented elsewhere, only the equation will be presented here. The period of a satellite (T) and the mean distance from the central body (R) are related by the following equation:

where T is the period of the satellite, R is the average radius of orbit for the satellite (distance from center of central planet), and G is 6.673 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2. There is an important concept evident in all three of these equations - the period, speed and the acceleration of an orbiting satellite are not dependent upon the mass of the satellite.

None of these three equations has the variable Msatellite in them. The period, speed and acceleration of a satellite are only dependent upon the radius of orbit and the mass of the central body that the satellite is orbiting. Just as in the case of the motion of projectiles on earth, the mass of the projectile has no affect upon the acceleration towards the earth and the speed at any instant. When air resistance is negligible and only gravity is present, the mass of the moving object becomes a non-factor. Such is the case of orbiting satellites.
Example Problems

To illustrate the usefulness of the above equations, consider the following practice problems. A satellite wishes to orbit the earth at a height of 100 km (approximately 60 miles) above the surface of the earth. Determine the speed, acceleration and orbital period of the satellite. (Given: Mearth = 5.98 x 1024 kg, Rearth = 6.37 x 106 m) Like most problems in physics, this problem begins by identifying known and unknown information and selecting the appropriate equation capable of solving for the unknown. For this problem, the knowns and unknowns are listed below.
Given/Known: Unknown: R = Rearth + height = 6.47 x 106 m v = ??? Mearth = 5.98x1024 kg a = ??? G = 6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2 T = ??? Note that the radius of a satellite's orbit can be found from the knowledge of the earth's radius and the height of the satellite above the earth. As shown in the diagram at the right, the radius of orbit for a satellite is equal to the sum of the earth's radius and the height above the earth. These two quantities can be added to yield the orbital radius. In this problem, the 100 km must first be converted to 100 000 m before being added to the radius of the earth. The equations needed to determine the unknown are listed above. We will begin by determining the orbital speed of the satellite using the following equation: v = SQRT [ (GMCentral ) / R ] The substitution and solution are as follows: v = SQRT [ (6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2) (5.98 x 1024 kg) / (6.47 x 106 m) ] v = 7.85 x 103 m/s The acceleration can be found from either one of the following equations: (1) a = (G Mcentral)/R2 (2) a = v2/R Equation (1) was derived above. Equation (2) is a general equation for circular motion. Either equation can be used to calculate the acceleration. The use of equation (1) will be demonstrated here. a = (G Mcentral)/R2 -11 2 a = (6.673 x 10 N m /kg2) (5.98 x 1024 kg) / (6.47 x 106 m)2 a = 9.53 m/s2 Observe that this acceleration is slightly less than the 9.8 m/s2 value expected on earth's surface. As Practice Problem #1

discussed in Lesson 3, the increased distance from the center of the earth lowers the value of g.
Finally, the period can be calculated using the following equation:

The equation can be rearranged to the following form T = SQRT [(4 pi2 R3) / (G*Mcentral)] The substitution and solution are as follows: T = SQRT [(4 (3.1415)2 (6.47 x 106 m)3) / (6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2) (5.98x1024 kg) ] T = 5176 s = 1.44 hrs

Practice Problem #2
The period of the moon is approximately 27.2 days (2.35 x 106 s). Determine the radius of the moon's orbit and the orbital speed of the moon. (Given: Mearth = 5.98 x 1024 kg, Rearth = 6.37 x 106m) Like Practice Problem #2, this problem begins by identifying known and unknown values. These are shown below.

Given/Known:
T = 2.35 x 106 s

Unknown:
R = ???

Mearth = 5.98 x 1024 kg G = 6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2 The radius of orbit can be calculated using the following equation:

v = ???

The equation can be rearranged to the following form R3 = [ (T2 G Mcentral) / (4 pi2) ] The substitution and solution are as follows: R3 = [ ((2.35x106 s)2 (6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2) (5.98x1024 kg) ) / (4 (3.1415)2) ] R3 = 5.58 x 1025 m3 By taking the cube root of 5.58 x 1025 m3, the radius can be determined as follows: R = 3.82 x 108 m The orbital speed of the satellite can be computed from either of the following equations: (1) v = SQRT [ (G MCentral ) / R ] (2) v = (2 pi R)/T Equation (1) was derived above. Equation (2) is a general equation for circular motion. Either equation can be used to calculate the orbital speed; the use of equation (1) will be demonstrated here. The substitution of values into this equation and solution are as follows: v = SQRT [ (6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2)*(5.98x1024 kg) / (3.82 x 108 m) ] v = 1.02 x 103 m/s Practice Problem #3

A geosynchronous satellite is a satellite that orbits the earth with an orbital period of 24 hours, thus matching the period of the earth's rotational motion. A special class of geosynchronous satellites is a geostationary satellite. A geostationary satellite orbits the earth in 24 hours along an orbital path that is parallel to an imaginary plane drawn through the Earth's equator. Such a satellite appears permanently fixed above the same location on the Earth. If a geostationary satellite wishes to orbit the earth in 24 hours (86400 s), then how high above the earth's surface must it be located? (Given: Mearth = 5.98x1024 kg, Rearth = 6.37 x 106 m) Just as in the previous problem, the solution begins by the identification of the known and unknown values. This is shown below.
Given/Known:

T = 86400 s Mearth = 5.98x1024 kg Rearth = 6.37 x 106 m G = 6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2 The unknown in this problem is the height (h) of the satellite above the surface of the earth. Yet there is no equation with the variable h. The solution then involves first finding the radius of orbit and using this R value and the R of the earth to find the height of the satellite above the earth. As shown in the diagram at the right, the radius of orbit for a satellite is equal to the sum of the earth's radius and the height above the earth. The radius of orbit can be found using the following equation:

Unknown: h = ???

The equation can be rearranged to the following form

R3 = [ (T2 * G * Mcentral) / (4*pi2) ]

The substitution and solution are as follows: By taking

R3 = [ ((86400 s)2 (6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2) (5.98x1024 kg) ) / (4 (3.1415)2) ] R3 = 7.54 x 1022 m3 22 the cube root of 7.54 x 10 m3, the radius can be determined to be R = 4.23 x 107 m

The radius of orbit indicates the distance that the satellite is from the center of the earth. Now that the radius of orbit has been found, the height above the earth can be calculated. Since the earth's surface is 6.37 x 106 m from its center (that's the radius of the earth), the satellite must be a height of above the surface of the
4.23 x 107 m - 6.37 x 106 m = 3.59 x 107 m earth. So the height of the satellite is 3.59 x 107 m.

Describe satellite motion

Describe Keplers laws of planetary motion applied to satellites in orbit around the Earth FIRST LAW. Planets move in ellipses with the Sun at one focus Kepler's first law states "all planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus and the other focus empty". Applied to Earth satellites, the center of the Earth becomes one focus, with the other focus empty. For circular orbits, the two foci coincide. SECOND LAW: The radius vector describes equal areas in equal times Kepler's 2nd law, the law of areas, states "the line joining the planet to the Sun sweeps over equal areas in equal time intervals". When a satellite orbits, the line joining it to the Earth sweeps over equal areas in equal periods of time. Segments AB and CD take equal times to cover. Therefore, the speed of the satellite changes, depending on its distance from the center of the Earth. Speed is greatest at the point in the orbit closest to the Earth, called perigee, and is slowest at the point farthest from the Earth, called apogee. It is important to note that the orbit followed by a satellite is not dependent on its mass. THIRD LAW:. Squares of periodic times are to each other as cubes of the mean distances NASA Kepler's 3rd law, the law of periods, relates time required for a planet to make 1 complete trip around the Sun to its mean distance from the Sun. "For any planet, the square of its period of revolution is directly proportional to the cube of its mean distance from the Sun." Applied to Earth satellites, Kepler's 3rd law explains that the farther a satellite is from Earth, the longer it will take to complete and orbit, the greater the distance it will travel to complete an orbit, and the slower its average speed will be. One problem which can be calculated using the third law involves the question "How long does it take to reach Mars, in the most efficient orbit?" The answer is called the "Hohmann Transfer Orbit"

REFERENCES http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circles/u6l4c.cfm Satellite motion http://www.ioccg.org/training/turkey/DrLynch_lectures2.pdf