Concept explainers
(a)
The tangential velocity of the star if the Kapteyn star has a parallax angle of
(a)
Answer to Problem 7Q
Solution:
Explanation of Solution
Given data:
Parallax angle of the star is
Formula used:
The expression for the distance of a star in the form of parallax angle is written as,
Here,
The expression for the tangential velocity of a star is written as,
Here,
Explanation:
Recall the expression for the distance of a star in the form of parallax angle.
Substitute
Recall the expression for the tangential velocity of a star.
Upon substituting
Conclusion:
Thus, the tangential velocity of the star is
(b)
The actual speed of the star relative to the Sun if the Kapteyn star has a parallax angle of
(b)
Answer to Problem 7Q
Solution:
Explanation of Solution
Given data:
Parallax angle of the star is
Formula used:
The expression for the calculation of the tangential velocity of a star is written as,
Here,
Explanation:
Recall the expression for the velocity of a star relative to the Sun.
Upon substituting
Further solve,
Conclusion:
Thus, the star’s speed, relative to the sun, is
(c)
Whether the Kapteyn star is moving towards the sun or away from the sun.
(c)
Answer to Problem 7Q
Solution:
The star is moving away from the sun.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
The component of the velocity of a star in our line of sight, away from us or towards us, is called radial velocity.
Explanation:
Radial velocity can be determined by measuring the Doppler shift in the spectral lines of the star’s spectrum. If the star is moving towards us, the wavelength of the spectral lines will decrease (blueshifted) and if the star going away from us, the wavelength of the spectral line will increase (redshifted).
As the value of radial velocity of the Sun is positive, which corresponds to redshift in the wavelength, the star is moving away from the sun.
Conclusion:
So, by measuring the shift in wavelength, the motion of a star, whether it is towards or away from us, can be determined.
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Chapter 17 Solutions
UNIVERSE LL W/SAPLINGPLUS MULTI SEMESTER
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