- #1
lindz.12
- 6
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Consider a pair of binary stars with a separation of 3.60E12 m and an orbital period of 2.55E9s. Assuming the two stars are equally massive, determine the mass of each.
keplar's law...
so I rearranged the formula and set (2pi*r)/T=sqrt((GM)/r), and then I solved for M, which gave me the equation M={[4(pi)^2](r^3)}/(GT^2). Then, I solved for it, and I got 5.3E29kg.
i know the distance given to me was like the diameter, so technically, the radius would be 1.8E12; also, is M the mass of one binary star, considering this question is saying a pair of binary stars...
can someone tell me what i did wrong?
keplar's law...
so I rearranged the formula and set (2pi*r)/T=sqrt((GM)/r), and then I solved for M, which gave me the equation M={[4(pi)^2](r^3)}/(GT^2). Then, I solved for it, and I got 5.3E29kg.
i know the distance given to me was like the diameter, so technically, the radius would be 1.8E12; also, is M the mass of one binary star, considering this question is saying a pair of binary stars...
can someone tell me what i did wrong?