Astronomers have observed a small, massive object at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. A ring of material orbits this massive object; the

Question

Astronomers have observed a small, massive object at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. A ring of material orbits this massive object; the ring has a diameter of about 15 light years and an orbital speed of about 200 km/s.

Observations of stars, as well as theories of the structure of stars, suggest that it is impossible for a single star to have a mass of more than about 50 solar masses. Can this massive object be a single, ordinary star?

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Thiên Hương 4 years 2021-08-14T18:27:14+00:00 1 Answers 134 views 0

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  1. linhdan
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    2021-08-14T18:28:36+00:00
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    Answer: Yes, it can be a single, ordinary star.

    Explanation: To determine a mass of a star, we use the orbital speed formula, given by: v = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{R} }, where

    v is the speed;

    G is a constant: G = 6.67*10^{-11}[tex]\frac{m^{3} }{kg.s^{2} }[/tex]

    M is mass of a massive object;

    R is the distance between the object orbiting and the massive object;

    The formula can be rewritten as:

    M = \frac{v^{2}.R }{G}

    First, we change R from light years to km:

    1km=1.057*10^{-13}

    R= \frac{15}{2*1.057.10^{-13} }

    Calculating mass:

    M = \frac{2^{2}*10^{4}*14.2*10^{13} }{6.67*10^{-11} }

    M = 4.25*10^{28} kg

    A solar mass is the standard unit of mass. It is approximately 2*10^{30}Kg and can be used for comparison: A single star cannot be more than 50 solar masses.

    50 solar masses = 50*2*10^{30} = 10^{32} kg

    Comparing the mass of the object with this parameter, we have

    \frac{10^{32} }{4.25.10^{28} } = 0.235.10^{4} = 2.35.10^{3}

    From this, we know that 50 solar masses is greater than the small, massive object found. So, this object can be a single, ordinary star.

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