Consider a binary system consisting of two small stars with comparable but unequal masses m and...

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Consider a binary system consisting of two small stars with comparable but unequal masses m₁ and m2. The stars attract each other according to Newtonian gravity, and orbit each other at a fixed distance, with period T. (a). (b) Find the distance between the stars. Now suppose the motion of both stars is suddenly stopped at a given instant of time, and they are then released and allowed to fall into each other. Find the time that it takes for the stars to collide. (You may leave your answer in terms of a single definite integral over a real dimensionless variable.) Consider a binary system consisting of two small stars with comparable but unequal masses m₁ and m2. The stars attract each other according to Newtonian gravity, and orbit each other at a fixed distance, with period T. (a). (b) Find the distance between the stars. Now suppose the motion of both stars is suddenly stopped at a given instant of time, and they are then released and allowed to fall into each other. Find the time that it takes for the stars to collide. (You may leave your answer in terms of a single definite integral over a real dimensionless variable.)

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a To find the distance between the stars in terms of their masses and the period of their orbit we c... View the full answer