Approximately one billion years ago, the Moon orbited the Earth much closer that it does today. The radius of the orbit was only 24,400 km. Today, the radius is 385,000 km. The orbital period was only 23,400 s. The present period is 2.36 x 10^6 s. Assume the orbit of the Moon is circular. Calculate the ratio of the speed of the Moon in its ancient orbit to the speed that it has today.

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
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Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
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Chapter11: Gravity, Planetary Orbits, And The Hydrogen Atom
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Approximately one billion years ago, the Moon orbited the Earth much closer that it does today. The radius of the orbit was only 24,400 km. Today, the radius is 385,000 km. The orbital period was only 23,400 s. The present period is 2.36 x 10^6 s. Assume the orbit of the Moon is circular. Calculate the ratio of the speed of the Moon in its ancient orbit to the speed that it has today.

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