1

While studying mass transfer in binary star systems, I came across the concept of Roche lobes and the role of the inner Lagrangian point $L_1$, as shown in the adjoining figure. Roche lobe

However, I am having a doubt in understanding the reason of the fact that one lobe is larger and the other is smaller. I think that the reason is due to the different masses of the two stars. Since the contours are equipotentials, it seems that larger the mass of a star, the larger is the size of the corresponding lobe. But I am not sure whether this is the exact reason.

So, I am looking for a proper reason for the different sizes of the two lobes.

Qmechanic
  • 201,751
JamesP
  • 105

1 Answers1

1

You are right: the size of the Roche lobe depends on the mass of the components. It scales linearly with the separation of the components and in addition is a function of the mass ratio. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roche_lobe

Hartmut Braun
  • 1,032