- #1
Guffie
- 23
- 0
Hello,
I have read several articles/websites which talk about modelling white dwarfs,
In all of these papers they state that it can be assumed the electrons have temperature zero, i.e.
T<<T_fermi.
I haven't been able to find a solid explanation of why this is approximation is possible,
Is it due to the huge degeneracies in these stars which means that each of the electrons can reside in a ground state -> so their temperature can be considered as zero?
I just think its strange that this assumption is possible considering the actual temperature of these stars is enormous.
While I'm asking about things of this topic, I have also seen people state when E_fermi>>m_e c^2 relativistic effects become important. Is this because it implies the particles are moving very quickly?
I have read several articles/websites which talk about modelling white dwarfs,
In all of these papers they state that it can be assumed the electrons have temperature zero, i.e.
T<<T_fermi.
I haven't been able to find a solid explanation of why this is approximation is possible,
Is it due to the huge degeneracies in these stars which means that each of the electrons can reside in a ground state -> so their temperature can be considered as zero?
I just think its strange that this assumption is possible considering the actual temperature of these stars is enormous.
While I'm asking about things of this topic, I have also seen people state when E_fermi>>m_e c^2 relativistic effects become important. Is this because it implies the particles are moving very quickly?
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