How do I calculate the gravitational red shift for a white dwarf star?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the gravitational red shift for a white dwarf star, the relevant formula is Δλ/λ = GM/(Rc²), where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the star, R is its radius, and c is the speed of light. The user attempted to substitute values into this formula but did not arrive at the correct answer of 0.000279. They also tried using the escape velocity equation, v_{esc} = √(2GM/R), but found it unhelpful for this calculation. Clarification on the correct application of the gravitational red shift formula is requested, especially given an upcoming exam. Understanding the proper substitution of values is crucial for accurate results.
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Homework Statement



After a star like the Sun has exhausted most of the hydrogen in its core it expands and cools to form a red giant. Eventually, when it has exhausted all its nuclear fuel, it sheds its outer layers and contracts and becomes a white dwarf of similar size to the Earth as shown below. Note that the mass of the sun is 2 × 1030 kg, the radius of the Earth is 6,380 km and Newton's gravitational constant G is 6.67 × 10–11 Nm2 kg–2.

Light leaving the surface of a star of mass M and radius R is stretched in wavelength (i.e. "gravitationally red-shifted") by an amount Δλ/λ = GM/(Rc2) where c is the speed of light.

Calculate the gravitational red shift for light leaving the surface of the white dwarf


The Attempt at a Solution



I tried substituting the values into the formula Δλ/λ = GM/(Rc2) but that didn't produce the right answer...

Then I tried using the "scape speed" equation is given by

v_{esc}=\sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}}

Where G is the gravitational constant. M is the mass of the white dwarf and R is its radius converted to meters.

But this didn't work either. The right answer has to be 0.000279. Can anyone explain to me how the got this answer? I have an exam tomorrow...

Thanks in advance
 
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