What is the comet's speed at the midpoint?

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In summary, a comet is being pulled towards two stars in a binary star system. The comet travels along a straight line that passes through the midpoint between the two stars. The question is: what is the comet's speed at the midpoint? The answer can be found using the conservation of energy principle.
  • #1
jkh4
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A binary star system has two stars, each with the same mass as our sun, separated by 1.10×1012 . A comet is very far away and essentially at rest. Slowly but surely, gravity pulls the comet toward the stars. Suppose the comet travels along a straight line that passes through the midpoint between the two stars.

My question is "What is the comet's speed at the midpoint?"

Thank you!
 
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  • #2
And what is your question?
 
  • #3
Hootenanny said:
And what is your question?


sorry forget to post my question...

What is the comet's speed at the midpoint?

Thank you
 
  • #4
HINT: Conservation of energy.
 
  • #5
“While we teach, we learn.” - Seneca
This can't be true!
 
  • #6
ritwik06 said:
“While we teach, we learn.” - Seneca
This can't be true!
And why not? :cool:
 
  • #7
Hootenanny said:
And why not? :cool:

No hard feelings sir :biggrin: but one really can't teach anybody if he tries to learn while he teaches. He must be perfect in his own sense.
 
  • #8
ritwik, please do not derail a homework thread. If you wish to have a conversation about a member's signature, please do so privately using the PM option.
 
  • #9
I am awfully sorry!
 

FAQ: What is the comet's speed at the midpoint?

What is the midpoint of a comet's trajectory?

The midpoint of a comet's trajectory is the point at which the comet is exactly halfway between its starting point and its final destination.

How is the comet's speed at the midpoint calculated?

The comet's speed at the midpoint is calculated by dividing the distance traveled from the starting point to the midpoint by the time it took to reach the midpoint.

Is the comet's speed at the midpoint constant?

No, the comet's speed at the midpoint is not constant. It may vary depending on external factors such as gravitational pull from other celestial bodies, or the comet's own internal changes.

Can the comet's speed at the midpoint be faster than its average speed?

Yes, it is possible for the comet's speed at the midpoint to be faster than its average speed. This can occur if the comet experiences a temporary increase in velocity due to a gravitational slingshot effect from a nearby planet or other object.

Why is it important to know the comet's speed at the midpoint?

Knowing the comet's speed at the midpoint can help scientists better understand the comet's overall trajectory and predict its future path. It can also provide valuable information about the comet's composition and how it is affected by various external forces.

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