Gravitational force of a neutron star

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the gravitational force of neutron stars compared to regular stars. Participants clarify that while a neutron star retains the same total mass as its progenitor star, its significantly smaller radius results in a much stronger gravitational attraction at its surface. The gravitational force is determined by the total mass divided by the square of the radius, not merely by mass or density alone. This understanding is crucial for grasping why neutron stars exhibit such intense gravitational fields despite having the same mass as their original stars.

PREREQUISITES
  • Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
  • Understanding of mass, density, and radius relationships
  • Basic knowledge of astrophysics, specifically stellar evolution
  • Familiarity with gravitational force calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation in detail
  • Explore the concept of gravitational fields and their dependence on distance
  • Learn about the properties of neutron stars and their formation processes
  • Investigate the relationship between mass, density, and gravitational force in different celestial bodies
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, astrophysicists, and students studying gravitational physics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the properties and behaviors of neutron stars and their gravitational effects.

  • #31
Maybe I can make an analogy on the topic. Newtons formula speaks for itself, but to put it into another picture.

Imagine you are on the surface of the sun with mass 1 sun. The suns radius is about 700,000 km. You have the whole mass of the Sun pulling on you. Since gravity gets weaker with distance, you have half the mass of the Sun pulling on you from within that 700,000 km radius and the other half pulling on you from up to 1.4 million km away.
Now shrink that mass to about a couple of km. Now you have the whole Suns mass pulling on you from within a couple of km. Your more closer to it all!, so it is stronger.
 
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  • #32
JohnnyGui said:
Thank you, I think I'm now at the root of my problem here. Is it possible to answer why exactly the center of gravity determines the force instead of the total amount of mass beneath you without saying that it's just the way how nature works? I think I'm trying to understand the roots of how gravity works here.

It was all worked out by Isaac Newton in the 17th century. Europe was most impressed. The idea is that you sum up the gravitational attraction of every tiny piece of each body. The result is surprisingly simple.
 

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