Showing papers by "Andrew F. Cheng published in 1974"

Supernovae in close binaries

Abstract: The impact of a supernova shell onto 2.82M⊙ and 20.0M⊙ main-sequence stars is investigated for various initial orbital separations, and various supernova shell masses and velocities. The inelastic collision between the star and the supernova shell, the shock propagation into the companion star, and other forms of momentum transfer such as the rocket effect are considered. The total momentum transfer due to the supernova is insufficient to eject the companion from the binary as long as the companion retains most of its mass, regardless of the initial orbital separation. Ejection of the companion may occur if the companion is nearly destroyed. Even in contact binaries destruction does not necessarily occur, and if the orbital separation exceeds 1012 cm, destruction of the companion becomes quite unlikely.