Classical Mechanics, Double Star, Find the ratio of the masses

[cum]

Homework Statement

The two components of a double star are observed to move in circles of radii r₁ and r₂. What is the ratio of their masses? (Hint: Write down their accelerations in terms of the angular velocity of rotation, ω.)

Homework Equations

Newton's 2nd law? law of gravitation?

The Attempt at a Solution

I don't know what a double star is and hence I don't know what the system is doing.

 

[tiny-tim]

welcome to pf!

hi cum! welcome to pf!

I don't know what a double star is and hence I don't know what the system is doing.

a double star is two stars, each moving in a circle round their common centre of mass

 

[cum]

hi cum! welcome to pf!


a double star is two stars, each moving in a circle round their common centre of mass

Thanks.

Simple enough, all I had to do was let their centripetal force be equal.