Consider two stars, one of 10 solar masses and another of 6 solar masses, in a binary system. It takes one star 2 years to orbit the common center of mass. What is the semi-major axis of this star's orbit?

STEP 1

• M₁ = 10 solar masses
• M₂ = 6 solar masses
• P = 2 years
• A = ?

STEP 2

The next step is to find the right equation (or equations) to use. After you have done that, click here.

Updated 8/27/99

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