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5. The absolute magnitude of a star, M_(j) is (related to its luminosity, L by the formula M=4.72-log(L)/(L_(0)) , where L_(0) is the luminosity of the sun . The luminosity is the rate at which the star emits light, and is measured in watts. a)Determine M)=4.7z-109(2)/(2)=4.7z-[logL-log10] b) The absolute magnitude of Sirius, the star chrightest from

Question

5. The absolute magnitude of a star, M_(j) is (related to its luminosity, L by the formula M=4.72-log(L)/(L_(0)) , where L_(0) is the luminosity of the sun . The luminosity is the rate at which the star emits light, and is measured in watts. a)Determine M)=4.7z-109(2)/(2)=4.7z-[logL-log10] b) The absolute magnitude of Sirius, the star chrightest from

5. The absolute magnitude of a star,
M_(j) is
(related to its luminosity, L by the formula
M=4.72-log(L)/(L_(0)) , where L_(0) is the luminosity
of the sun . The luminosity is the rate at
which the star emits light, and is measured
in watts.
a)Determine
M)=4.7z-109(2)/(2)=4.7z-[logL-log10]
b) The absolute magnitude of Sirius, the star
chrightest from

Solution

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GrahamExpert · Tutor for 3 years

Answer

5. The absolute magnitude of a star, M, is related to its luminosity, L, by the formula:

M = 4.72 - log(L/L₀),

where L₀ is the luminosity of the sun.

a) Determine M if L = 2L₀

If L = 2L₀, then we substitute this into the formula:

M = 4.72 - log(2L₀/L₀)
M = 4.72 - log(2)
M ≈ 4.72 - 0.301
M ≈ 4.42

So, the absolute magnitude of the star is approximately 4.42.

b) The absolute magnitude of Sirius is 1.4. Determine its luminosity.

We are given M = 1.4, and we need to find L. We use the same formula and rearrange it to solve for L:

1.4 = 4.72 - log(L/L₀)
log(L/L₀) = 4.72 - 1.4
log(L/L₀) = 3.32

Now, we convert the logarithmic equation to an exponential equation (assuming base 10 logarithm):

L/L₀ = 10³·³²
L = 10³·³² L₀
L ≈ 2089L₀

Therefore, the luminosity of Sirius is approximately 2089 times the luminosity of the sun.
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