Question

The star Betelgeuse is 20 times more massive than the sun. What would be the likely impact on the motion of Earth if the sun were replaced by Betelgeuse? Orbital radius would increase because the gravitational pull would decrease. Orbital radius would decrease because the gravitational pull would increase. Orbital velocity would decrease because the gravitational pull would increase. Orbital velocity would increase because the gravitational pull would decrease.

Answer 1

Orbital radius would decrease because the gravitational pull would increase.

Answer 2

Answer:

Orbital radius would decrease because the gravitational pull would increase.

Explanation:

The force of gravity between a star and a planets binds the planet in the orbit around the star. The gravitational force depends the mass of the two bodies and distance between them. More the mass more would be gravitational pull.

If the sun is replaced by the star Betelgeuse which is 20 times more massive, the gravitational pull would be stronger and it would impact the orbital radius of the Earth. The orbital radius of the Earth would decrease.