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physicschick21
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Hi all, I was wondering if there is a correlation between the accretion rate and time. I think it should decrease as time increases, but I can't find the right correlation
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and thank you :-)berkeman said:Welcome to the PF.
What's a "WD"? White Dwarf?
Accretion rate onto a white dwarf over time is the measurement of how much mass is being transferred onto a white dwarf star from a companion star. This process occurs in a binary star system where the white dwarf is gravitationally pulling material from its companion.
The accretion rate onto a white dwarf can change over time as the companion star evolves. As the companion star expands and becomes a red giant, the rate of mass transfer onto the white dwarf may increase. However, as the companion star loses mass, the accretion rate may decrease.
The main factor that influences the accretion rate onto a white dwarf is the mass of the companion star. A more massive companion star will transfer more material onto the white dwarf. Other factors that can impact the accretion rate include the orbital period of the binary system and the composition of the material being transferred.
No, the accretion rate onto a white dwarf is not constant over time. As mentioned before, it can change as the companion star evolves. Additionally, the rate can also vary due to other factors such as the presence of a third body in the system or variations in the mass transfer process itself.
Studying the accretion rate onto a white dwarf can provide insights into the evolution of binary star systems and the fate of white dwarf stars. It can also help us understand the physical processes involved in mass transfer and how it affects the chemical composition of the white dwarf. Additionally, studying accretion onto white dwarfs can also have implications for understanding other astronomical phenomena such as supernovae explosions.