The mass of the smaller star is determined as 1.23 x 10³⁰ kg.
How to calculate the mass of the smaller star?
The mass of the smaller star is calculated by applying the concept of center mass as shown below.
m₁r₁ = m₂r₂
where;
- m₁ is the mass of the larger star
- m₂ is the mass of the smaller star
- r₁ is the radius of the larger star
- r₂ is the radius of the smaller star
m₁r₁ = m₂(D - r₁)
where;
- D is the distance between the two center masses
m₁r₁ = m₂(D - r₁)
(3.84 x 10³⁰) x (1.81 x 10¹¹) = m₂(7.45 x 10¹¹ - 1.81 x 10¹¹)
6.95 x 10⁴¹ = m₂(5.64 x 10¹¹)
m₂ = (6.95 x 10⁴¹ ) / ( 5.64 x 10¹¹ )
m₂ = 1.23 x 10³⁰ kg