The Algol binary system consists of a 3.7 Msun star and a 0.8 Msun star with an orbital period of 2.87 days. Using Newton’s version of Kepler’s Third Law, calculate the distance, a, between the two stars. Compare that to the size of Betelgeuse (you’ll need to look that up). Newton’s Version of Kepler’s Law: (M1 + M2) P2 = (4p2 /G) a3 Rearrange the equation to solve for a. Pi, p, is equal to 3.14. IMPORTANT NOTE: Google the value of G (the Universal Gravitational Constant) or look it up in your text. NOTICE THE UNITS. You must convert every distance and time in your equation to the same units, otherwise, you’ll get an incorrect answer. That means you must convert distances to meters, solar masses to kilograms, and time to seconds. When you compare your value to the size of Betelgeuse, it will also help that they are in the same units.
The Algol binary system consists of a 3.7 Msun star and a 0.8 Msun star with an orbital period of 2.87 days. Using Newton’s version of Kepler’s Third Law, calculate the distance, a, between the two stars. Compare that to the size of Betelgeuse (you’ll need to look that up).
Newton’s Version of Kepler’s Law: (M1 + M2) P2 = (4p2 /G) a3
Rearrange the equation to solve for a. Pi, p, is equal to 3.14. IMPORTANT NOTE: Google the value of G (the Universal Gravitational Constant) or look it up in your text. NOTICE THE UNITS. You must convert every distance and time in your equation to the same units, otherwise, you’ll get an incorrect answer. That means you must convert distances to meters, solar masses to kilograms, and time to seconds. When you compare your value to the size of Betelgeuse, it will also help that they are in the same units.
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