A double-star, possessing masses m1 and m2 , are rotating with constant angular speed. When the maximum distance of separation between them is R, what is the angular speed of revolution of the stars:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
Each star moves under the gravitational force exerted by the other star. Suppose they rotate with constant angular speed ω in the same sense.
Gravitational force provides necessary centripetal acceleration to keep the stars in their respective orbits of revolution.
$\Rightarrow F_{g_1}=F_{cp_1}=m_1 r_1 \omega^2$ and $F_{g_2}=F_{cp_2}=m_2 r_2 \omega^2$
$F_{gr_1}=F_{gr_2}=G \frac{m_1 m_2}{R^2} \Rightarrow m_1 r_1 \omega^2=m_2 r_2 \omega^2$
$\Rightarrow m_1 r_1=m_2 r_2$
That means, the system rotates about its C.M., O.
$\frac{r_1}{r_2}=\frac{m_2}{m_1} \Rightarrow \quad \frac{r_1}{r_1+r_2}=\frac{m_2}{m_1+m_2}$
$\Rightarrow r_1=\frac{m_2}{m_1+m_2}$ R (since $r_1+r_2$ = R)
$F_{c p_1}=m_1 r_1 \omega^2$ and $F_{gr_1}=\frac{G m_1 m_2}{R^2}$
Since $F_{cp_1}=F_{g_1}$
$\Rightarrow m_1 r_1 \omega^2=\frac{G m_1 m_2}{R^2} \Rightarrow r_1 \omega^2=\frac{G m_2}{R^2}$
Putting $r_1=\frac{m_2 R}{m_1+m_2}$, we obtain,
$\left(\frac{m_2 R}{m_1+m_2}\right) \omega^2=\frac{G m_2}{R^2}$
$\Rightarrow \omega=\sqrt{\frac{G\left(m_1+m_2\right)}{R^3}}$