mc030-1.jpg

Two stars are bound together by gravity. The larger star has four times the mass of the smaller star. Which diagram best illustrates the orbital motion of the two stars? (Note: the stars are shown much larger than they really are compared to the

To determine the correct diagram illustrating the orbital motion of two bound stars, we need to consider their masses and gravity. Here is how you can approach this question and find the correct answer:

1. Understand the concept: Orbital motion is the movement of two or more objects in a regular, repeating pattern around a common point. In this case, the stars are bound together by gravity, indicating that they are in orbit around each other.

2. Analyze the given information: The larger star has four times the mass of the smaller star. This information allows us to deduce that the larger star will exert a greater gravitational force on the smaller star.

3. Analyze the diagrams: Examine each diagram provided to understand the representation of the stars' orbital motion. Look for key features such as the relative sizes of the stars and their position in relation to each other.

4. Apply Newton's law of universal gravitation: According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the force of gravity between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. In simpler terms, the larger star will exert a stronger gravitational force on the smaller star.

5. Consider the correct configuration: With the larger star having a significantly higher mass, the smaller star is likely to orbit around it, rather than the other way around. This means that the correct diagram should show the smaller star orbiting around the larger one.

In conclusion, choosing the diagram where the smaller star orbits around the larger star would be the best representation of the gravitational binding and orbital motion of the two stars.