Astro- modelling a white dwarf via polytrope

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving the Lane-Emden equation for modeling a white dwarf using polytropes. It highlights that the equation generates finite stars only for low polytropic indices (0 to 4), with the maximum scaled radius being a constant. The actual radius can be calculated using a specific formula involving constants and parameters like central temperature and density. Central density and temperature are identified as free parameters in the model. Understanding these relationships is crucial for accurately determining the central density and radius of the white dwarf.
laam
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have solved the lane - emden eqn numerically for scaled radius, and the derivative of scaled pressure with respect of scaled radius, are given the eqn of state, n, and mass, how would i go about working out the central density and the radius?
thanks
 
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Huh? Sorry, but can you restate that a little more clearly? Maybe include the equations you worked with too?
 
laam said:
have solved the lane - emden eqn numerically for scaled radius, and the derivative of scaled pressure with respect of scaled radius, are given the eqn of state, n, and mass, how would i go about working out the central density and the radius?
thanks

The Lane-Emden Equation only generates finite "stars" for low Polytropic Indices (0 to 4). For those indices, the maximum Scaled Radius is some constant (eg., Pi or sqrt(6)). Thus, the maximum "actual radius" is just that constant multiple of the Scale Length:
S_{n} = \sqrt{ \frac{(n+1) k_{B}}{4 \pi G m} \frac{T_{c}}{\rho_{c}} }<br />​
The central density & temperature are Free Parameters*.
* For derivation, see: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=278009 [post #8]
 
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