On the Dissolution Time of a Class of Binary Systems

Abstract

To test the various theories of the dissolution time of binary systems, we have performed a series of numerical experiments. The present simulations represent a number of binaries subject to perturbations by passing field stars. Various masses and velocities of the field stars were used to exhibit their effects on the dissolution time. Because of simplicity, the pairs considered consisted of a primary of one solar mass plus a secondary of negligible mass.

The computations gave, among other things, the evolution in time of the energies and eccentricities of the secondary components. We found from these results the need to redefine the concept of time of dissolution to represent more realistically the rate of loss of secondary components. The dissolution times found from the present computations do not agree with any of the existing theories, neither in the general behavior nor in actual numerical values. The times of dissolution found in the present calculations are between a factor of two and a factor of fifteen longer than predicted by existing theories.