On the mass transfer process in binary systems
Abstract
The condition that the radius of one component of a binary star is equal to that of its Roche lobe has so far been used as a criterion for the occurrence of mass transfer. However, this criterion is only approximate. It is introduced for the simplification of the calculations from three-dimensions to one-dimension. A modified criterion is introduced, which is more strict and can also be used in one-dimensional calculations. In order to study the effect of the modified criterion on the evolution of binary systems, we calculate the evolution of a binary system consisting of a 9M_sun star and a 6M_sun star with mass transfer Case A and Case B. We find that the mass transfer process starts earlier and lasts longer when the modified criterion is adopted. Thus, the modified criterion for the mass transfer process has an obvious influence on the orbital period of the system, the masses and the internal structure of the component stars.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- April 1999
- Bibcode:
- 1999A&A...344..891H
- Keywords:
-
- STARS: BINARIES: CLOSE;
- STARS: EVOLUTION