How are neuton stars intensly magnetic?

[Superposed_Cat]

Neutrons are neutral (obviously). I thought only charged particles could be magnetic. So how are neutron stars magnetic? Thanks for any help.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Why would you think such a thing? Are your refrigerator magnets charged?

 

[Superposed_Cat]

I mean they have charged particles. neutronium is not just quasi-neutral. Its completely neutral. Or is magnetism solely dependent on spin?

 

[mfb]

Neutrons are made out of quarks (and gluons), and quarks are charged.
In addition, neutron stars are not 100% neutrons.

 

[Vanadium 50]

But let's go back to the fundamental misunderstanding. Where do you get this idea of "quasi-neutral" from? Did you read it in a textbook?

 

[Hornbein]

Neutrons are neutral (obviously). I thought only charged particles could be magnetic. So how are neutron stars magnetic? Thanks for any help.

Neutron star crusts are of iron and stuff like that. The cores are a few percent electrons/protons, so neutron star cores are very dense with charge carriers. One or the other of these phases might have the highest density of charge carriers in the universe.

 

[Superposed_Cat]

But let's go back to the fundamental misunderstanding. Where do you get this idea of "quasi-neutral" from? Did you read it in a textbook?

Sorry I know quasi neutral means something else.

 

[TumblingDice]

Neutron star composition

http:// upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Neutron_star_cross_section.svg/640px-Neutron_star_cross_section.svg.png

Image from:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_star

 

[Hornbein]

Neutron star cores are superconducting, by the way. The crusts are extremely conductive as well, so neutron stars are extremely good for supporting a magnetic field.

 

[Hornbein]

Neutrons are made out of quarks (and gluons), and quarks are charged.

Yes, but that's true of all insulators except empty space.

 

[mfb]

Yes, but that's true of all insulators except empty space.

And all insulators react to magnetic fields. Usually via diamagnetism. The interaction is often weak as the density is low (compared to neutron star material).