A binary star system is composed of two stars (one blue,one red)that orbit a common point: the center of mass of the system.The distances from the stars to the center of mass might be labeled r_blue and r_red.The sum of the masses of the stars is M_blue + M_red = 3.70 $\times$ 10³³ kg.If it is known that r_blue = 2/5 r_red,what is M_red? A) 1.06 $\times$ 10³³ kg B) 2.64 $\times$ 10³³ kg C) 1.48 $\times$ 10³³ kg D) 2.22 $\times$ 10³³ kg

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Let M_red = M, then M_blue = 3.70 x 10³³ kg - M. Using the fact that r_blue = 2/5 r_red, we can write: M x r_red = (3.70 x 10³³ kg - M) x 2/5 r_red Solving for M, we get M = 1.06 x 10³³ kg. Therefore, the answer is choice A.

A Binary Star System Is Composed of Two Stars (One ×\times×

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