The two stars in a binary star system have masses 2.0×1030kgand 6.0×1030kg. They are separated by 2.0×1012m. What are

a. The system’s rotation period, in years?

b. The speed of each star?

Short Answer

Expert verified

a. Rotation period of the system is 7.7×108years.

b. The speed of the first and second stars are 1.4×104m/sand 8.2×103m/srespectively.

Step by step solution

01

Part (a) Step 1 : Given Information

The first star has mass, m1=2.0×1030kg.

The second star has mass, m2=6.0×1030kg.

The two stars are separated byr=2.0×1010mdistance.

02

Part (a) Step 2 : Explanation 

For the revolution, we know the centripetal force between the two stars = Gravitational force between the two stars.

μν2r=Gμm1+m2r2----1

Here, the reduced mass of the system μ=m1m2m1+m2and v=2πrT.

Substitute the the formula for μand vinto 1and obtain the formula for T.

localid="1648182136695" T=4π2r3Gm1+m212

Here, the gravitational constant G=6.67×10-11N·m2/kg2

03

Part (a) Step 3 : Calculation 

Substitute the values to obtain T.

localid="1648182491757" T=4×3.142×2.0×101236.67×10-11×2.0×1030+6.0×103012=7.7×108years

04

Part (a) Step 4 : Final Answer

Rotation period of the system is 7.7×108years.

05

Part (b) Step 5 : Given Information

The first star has mass,m1=2.0×1030kg.

The second star has mass,m2=6.0×1030kg.

The two stars are separated byr=2.0×1010mdistance.

06

Part (b) Step 6 : Explanation

For the revolution, we know the centripetal force of the first star = Gravitational force between the two stars.

m1ν12r=Gm1m2r2v1=Gm2r

the centripetal force of the second star = Gravitational force between the two stars.

m2ν22r=Gm1m2r2v2=Gm1r

Here, the gravitational constantG=6.67×10-11N·m2/kg2

07

Part (b) Step 7 : Calculation

Substitute the values to obtain v1and v2.

role="math" localid="1648183977860" v1=G=6.67×10-11N·m2/kg2×6×1030kg2.0×1012m=1.4×104m/sv2=G=6.67×10-11N·m2/kg2×2×1030kg2.0×1012m=8.2×103m/s

08

Part (b) Step 8 : Final Answer

The speed of the first and second stars are1.4×104m/sandrole="math" localid="1648184239664" 8.2×103m/srespectively.

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