Question

The ratio of brightness of two stars can be determined by a

constant of 2.512 raised to the power of the magnitude difference.
The formula is b1/b2=2.512(m2-m1) where b1 and b2
represent the brightness and m1 and m2 refer to the magnitudes of
the stars being compared. One star has a magnitude (m1) of 1.6, and
another star has a magnitude (m2) of 0.4. What is the ratio of
brightness of these two stars?

Answer 1

Answer: 0.33

Step-by-step explanation:

The ratio of brightness of two stars is given by:

`(b_1)/(b_2)=2.512^{(m_(2)-m_(1))}`

Where:

`b_1` is the brightness of star 1

`b_2` is the brightness of star 2

`m_(1)=1.6` is the magnitude of star 1

`m_(2)=0.4` is the magnitude of star 2

`(b_1)/(b_2)=2.512^((0.4-1.6))`

`(b_1)/(b_2)=2.512^((-1.2))`

Finally:

`(b_1)/(b_2)=0.33` This is the ratio of brightness