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In a double star, two stars one of mass ...

In a double star, two stars one of mass `m_(1)` and another of mass `m_(2)`, with a separation d, rotate about their common centre of mass. Find
(a) an expression for their time period of revolution.
(b) the ratio of their kinetic energies.
(c) the ratio of their angular momenta about the centre of mass.
(d) the total angular momentum of the system.
(e) the kinetic energy of the system.

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

The centre of mass `C` will be at distance `d//3` and `2d//3` from masses `2m` and `m`, respectively. Both the stars rotate round `C` in their respective orbits with the same angular velocity `omega`. The gravitational force acting on each star due to the other supplies the necessary centripetal force.
The gravitational force on either star is `G(2m)m//(d^(2))`. If We consider the rotation of the smaller star, the centripetal force
`(mromega^(2)) is [m(2d//3)omega^(2)]` and `[(2mdomega^(2)//3)]` for the bigger star, i.e., the same.
`:. (G(2m)m)/(d^(2))=m((2d)/3) omega^(2)` or `omega= sqrt(((3Gm)/(d^(3))))`
Therefore, the period of revolution is given by
`T=(2pi)/omega=2pisqrt(((d^(3))/(3GMm)))`
The ratio of angular momenta is
`((Iomega)_("big)"))/((Iomega)_("small"))=I_("big")/I_("small")=((2m)(d/3)^(2))/(m((2d)/3)^(2))=1/2`
Since `omega` is the same for both.
The ratio of their kinetic energies is
`((1/2Iomega^(2))_("big"))/((1/Iomega^(2))_("small"))=I_("big")/I_("small")=1/2`
which is the same as the ratio of their angular momenta.
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