Question

Why is it that mercury orbit's faster than earth?

Can someone explain specifically why? I believe the following points:

1) Its closer to the sun's gravitational field. Thus the force applied on it is much more then what is applied on earth.
2) It has less mass so its easier for it to accelerate?


Thanks in advance!

Hope,

Answer 1

@myininaya @mukushla @Callisto @UnkleRhaukus @waterineyes

Help from the experts please? :)

Answer 2

It is closer to the sun and hence its orbit's circumference is lesser than that of earth..

And due to gravity, an object in a smaller orbit will move faster than the object in larger orbit..

Answer 3

Keplars Third law
"The square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit."
\[T^2\propto r^3\]

Answer 4

Thanks!