The orbit of a close binary system involving two neutron stars gradually shrinks in radius.What happens to the orbital energy?
A)It increases, with the source of energy coming from a decrease in the temperatures of theneutron stars.
B)It increases, with the source of energy coming from the beams that come from the pulsar stageof the neutron stars.
C)It decreases, with the excess energy increasing the temperatures of the neutron stars.
D)It decreases, with the excess energy emitted as neutrinos.
E)It decreases, with the excess energy emitted as gravitational waves.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The shrinking of the binary system's orbit is due to the emission of gravitational waves, which carry away energy and angular momentum from the system. As a result, the orbital energy decreases and is emitted as gravitational waves, leading to a shorter orbital period and a closer separation of the two neutron stars. As the orbit of the close binary system involving two neutron stars shrinks in radius, the two stars approach each other and their gravitational attraction increases. This results in the emission of gravitational waves, which carry away energy from the system. As a result, the orbital energy decreases, and the two neutron stars get closer and closer until they eventually merge. The excess energy is emitted as gravitational waves. Therefore, the correct choice is E.

The Orbit of a Close Binary System Involving Two Neutron