The center of mass of a binary star system is
A)the center of the most massive of the two stars.
B)the center of the least massive of the two stars.
C)the point halfway in between them.
D)the point at which the two objects would balance if they were somehow connected.
E)the average mass of the two stars.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The center of mass is the point at which the two objects would balance if they were somehow connected. This point depends on the masses and their separation, not on which one is more massive or less massive.

The Center of Mass of a Binary Star System Is