A red supergiant star is ten times more massive than the sun. What would be the likely impact on the motion of Earth if the sun were replaced by this red supergiant?

2 answers

Force from sun on earth = G m Ms / R^2 = mass * centripetal Acc = m V^2/R
Ms = R V^2 G
so
10Ms = Rn Vn^2 G = 10R V^2 G
so the orbit radius times Velocity squared goes up by 10
If the angular momentum remained the same (no torque)
then
L = m R V so radius * velocity is the same
Rn Vn = R V
Vn = V(R/Rn)
Rn V^2 (R/Rn)^2 = 10 R V^2
R^2 /Rn= 10 R
R/Rn = 10
The earth must be ten times as far away if it is to have the same angular momentum
Otherwise it would simply crash into the much bigger sun
Similar Questions
  1. Find the correct order of a massive star's life cycle.Red Supergiant Massive Star Supernova Black Hole or Neutron Star Stellar
    1. answers icon 1 answer
    1. answers icon 1 answer
  2. Which event triggers the start of black hole formation?(1 point)Responses a. Radiation emitted by a massive star increases. b.
    1. answers icon 1 answer
  3. How is the sun classified on an Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram?(1 point)Responses as a giant star as a giant star as a supergiant
    1. answers icon 11 answers
more similar questions