Share
Suppose you observe a binary system containing a main-sequence star and a brown dwarf. The orbital period of the system is 1 year, and the a
Question
Suppose you observe a binary system containing a main-sequence star and a brown dwarf. The orbital period of the system is 1 year, and the average separation of the system is 1 AUAU . You then measure the Doppler shifts of the spectral lines from the main-sequence star and the brown dwarf, finding that the orbital speed of the brown dwarf in the system is 22 times greater than that of the main-sequence star.
in progress
0
Physics
5 years
2021-07-20T18:36:26+00:00
2021-07-20T18:36:26+00:00 1 Answers
451 views
1
Answers ( )
Complete Question:
How massive is the brown dwarf
Answer:
Mass of the brown dwarf, M₂ = 4.132 * 10²⁷ kg
Explanation:
Let M₁ = Mass of the main-sequence star
M₂ = Mass of the brown dwarf
v₁ = speed of the main-sequence star
v₂ = speed of the brown dwarf
The average separation of the system r₁ = r₂ = 1 AU
Orbital speed of the brown dwarf is 22 times that of the main – sequence star
That is, v₂ = 22 v₁
Since the sun is a main sequence star
Mass of the main – sequence star = 2 * 10³⁰ kg
Centripetal force, F = Mv²/r
M₁v₁²/r₁² = M₂v₂²/r²
M₁v₁² = M₂v₂²
M₂/M₁ = v₁²/v₂²
M₂/M₁ = (1/22)²
M₂/M₁ = 0.002066
M₂ = 0.002066M₁
M₂ = 0.002066 * 2 * 10³⁰
M₂ = 4.132 * 10²⁷ kg