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Phys 181 Quiz 4 JULY 26, 2016: m m r R 2 2πr T

This document contains a physics quiz with 4 questions about binary stars orbiting each other. The questions ask to find the gravitational force, acceleration, orbital speed, and orbital period of each star in terms of the mass M, radius of orbit R, and gravitational constant G.

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26 views1 page

Phys 181 Quiz 4 JULY 26, 2016: m m r R 2 2πr T

This document contains a physics quiz with 4 questions about binary stars orbiting each other. The questions ask to find the gravitational force, acceleration, orbital speed, and orbital period of each star in terms of the mass M, radius of orbit R, and gravitational constant G.

Uploaded by

Sam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Phys 181 QUIZ 4 JULY 26, 2016

Please show all your work! Answers without supporting work will not be given credit. You have 30
minutes to complete this quiz.

Name:
1. Two identical stars with mass M orbit around their common center.
M Each orbit is circular and has radius R, so that the two stars are
always on opposite sides of the circle. They are termed as binary
R stars.
b
(a) Find the gravitational force of one star on the other in terms of
G, M and R.
(b) Find the acceleration of each star in terms of G, M and R.
(c) Find the orbital speed of each star in terms of G, M and R.
M
(d) Find the orbital period of each star in terms of G, M and R.

(The following formulae may be useful : F = G mr1 m


2
2
, F = ma, aR = v 2 /r, v = 2πr
T )

Solutions :
(a)
m1 m2 M2 M2
F =G = G = G
r2 (2R)2 4R2
(b)
M2 M
F = Ma = G =⇒ a = G 2
4R2 4R
(c) r
v2 M v2 GM
a= =⇒ G 2 = =⇒ v =
R 4R R 4R
(d) r
2πR R
T = = 4πR
v GM

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