When looking for the radial velocity changes detected due to Doppler shifts, which masscombination is most likely to be detected?
A)high mass star, high mass planet
B)high mass star, low mass planet
C)low mass star, high mass planet
D)low mass star, low mass planet
E)a high mass planet; the mass of the star is irrelevant

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The radial velocity method is most sensitive to systems where a high mass planet orbits a low mass star. This is because the gravitational influence of a high mass planet on a low mass star is more pronounced, leading to larger observable Doppler shifts.

When Looking for the Radial Velocity Changes Detected Due to Doppler