On the structure of contact binaries. III - Mass and energy flow

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (96) References (35) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS On the structure of contact binaries. III. Mass and energy flow. Shu, F. H. ; Lubow, S. H. ; Anderson, L. Abstract A variety of topics dealing with the mass and energy flow in contact binaries is examined. It is argued that the contact discontinuity hypothesis proposed in earlier communications is both necessary and sufficient to resolve Kuiper's (1941) paradox concerning the existence of contact binaries with unequal components. A detailed qualitative picture of the maintenance by fluid flow of the contact and weak discontinuities of zero-order models in presented. This discussion supplies a description of the mechanism by which the interior luminosities are redistributed to give common envelope luminosities. It also provides order-of-magnitude estimates for the thickness of the transition layer and mixing region that constitute the actual structure of the contact and weak discontinuities. The gas dynamics of mass loss that occurs if stellar evolution should cause a synchronously rotating common surface to try to expand beyond the outer critical surface is calculated. The role of various processes in the problem of the evolution of contact binaries is considered. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: April 1979 DOI: 10.1086/156948 Bibcode: 1979ApJ...229..223S Keywords: Binary Stars; Discontinuity; Energy Transfer; Hydrodynamics; Mass Flow; Stellar Structure; Gas Dynamics; Qualitative Analysis; Stellar Evolution; Stellar Luminosity; Transition Layers; Turbulent Mixing; Astrophysics; Contact Binaries:Hydrodynamics; Contact Binaries:Mass Exchange; Contact Binaries:Models; Contact Binaries:Structure full text sources ADS | Related Materials (3) Part 1: 1976ApJ...209..536S Part 2: 1977ApJ...216..517L Part 4: 1979ApJ...229..657L