- #1
victoriafello
- 34
- 0
Homework Statement
I am trying to understand the following example question in my course book, The answer is actually given but i don't understand how they got to it, i would like someone to give me an idea how this has been worked out
In the Sirius Binary system the orbital period is 50 years and the semi major axis of the relative orbit is 20AU. Calculate the masses of sirius A and B expressing your answer in solar masses
Homework Equations
M+m = 4 Pi^2 a^3 / GP^2
The Attempt at a Solution
M+m = 4Pi^2 (20 x 1.50 x 10^11 m) ^3 / (6.67 x 10 ^-11 N m^2 Kg^-1) x (50 x 3.16 x 10^7 s) ^2
I really don't understand as i thought from the equation that it would be 4 Pi^2 x 20^3 / 6.67 x 10^-11 x 50 ^2
What am i missing ?