What is the comet's speed at the midpoint?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the speed of a comet at the midpoint of a binary star system, where both stars have the same mass as the Sun and are separated by 1.10×1012 meters. The key principle to apply is the conservation of energy, which governs the comet's acceleration due to the gravitational pull of the stars. The comet starts from rest and gains speed as it approaches the midpoint between the stars, where its velocity can be determined using gravitational potential energy equations.

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Astronomy students, physicists, and anyone interested in celestial mechanics and the dynamics of comets in binary star systems.

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A binary star system has two stars, each with the same mass as our sun, separated by 1.10×1012 . A comet is very far away and essentially at rest. Slowly but surely, gravity pulls the comet toward the stars. Suppose the comet travels along a straight line that passes through the midpoint between the two stars.

My question is "What is the comet's speed at the midpoint?"

Thank you!
 
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And what is your question?
 
Hootenanny said:
And what is your question?


sorry forget to post my question...

What is the comet's speed at the midpoint?

Thank you
 
HINT: Conservation of energy.
 
“While we teach, we learn.” - Seneca
This can't be true!
 
ritwik06 said:
“While we teach, we learn.” - Seneca
This can't be true!
And why not? :cool:
 
Hootenanny said:
And why not? :cool:

No hard feelings sir :biggrin: but one really can't teach anybody if he tries to learn while he teaches. He must be perfect in his own sense.
 
ritwik, please do not derail a homework thread. If you wish to have a conversation about a member's signature, please do so privately using the PM option.
 
I am awfully sorry!
 

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