The Initial Mass Function and the Dynamical Evolution of Open Clusters. IV. Realistic Systems

Abstract

This paper is the fourth one of a series whose chief objective is studying the influence of different mass spectra on the dynamical evolution of open star clusters. Results from several N-body calculations with primordial binaries and mass loss due to stellar evolution are presented. The models show significant differences with those for primordial binaries but no stellar mass loss presented in de la Fuente Marcos (1996b). A differential dynamical behaviour depending on cluster richness is found compared to de la Fuente Marcos (1996a). The evolution of these realistic models is very dependent on the initial mass function. Even for rich clusters, there is a dependence on the binary mass spectrum. The velocity distribution of the escapers is examined and compared with results from previous calculations. The evolution of the primordial binary population is analyzed in detail. The cluster remnant and the final binary population are also studied. Finally, some conclusions about observational properties of Open Cluster Remnants are presented.