Question

Roche Lobes (or surfaces) = ?

A) Regions of gravitational interaction between celestial bodies.
B) Zones of low-density plasma in the Earth's magnetosphere.
C) Geometric shapes used in quantum mechanics.
D) Terms used in oceanography for underwater landforms.

Answer 1

A Roche Lobe is a region around a star in a binary system where orbital material is gravitationally bound to that star, influencing mass transfer in binary star systems.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the question regarding Roche Lobes is A) Regions of gravitational interaction between celestial bodies. The Roche lobe is a region around a star in a binary system within which orbiting material is gravitationally bound to that star. It is a teardrop-shaped area that defines how material can be exchanged between the two stars. If an object, such as a gas cloud, is within a star's Roche lobe, it is gravitationally bound to that star; if it crosses the boundary, it may be captured by or transferred to the other star. This concept is critical in astrophysics, particularly in the study of binary star systems where mass transfer can occur when a star expands enough that material can flow through the inner Lagrangian point into the Roche lobe of the companion star.