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

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The gravitational red shift for light leaving the surface of a white dwarf can be calculated using the formula Δλ/λ = GM/(Rc²), where G is Newton's gravitational constant (6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ Nm²/kg²), M is the mass of the white dwarf, R is its radius, and c is the speed of light. The correct calculation yields a red shift value of 0.000279. The user initially attempted to solve the problem using both the gravitational red shift formula and the escape velocity equation, vₑₛc = √(2GM/R), but did not arrive at the correct answer.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational red shift and its formula.
  • Familiarity with Newton's gravitational constant (G).
  • Knowledge of the mass and radius of a white dwarf star.
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of the gravitational red shift formula.
  • Practice calculations involving escape velocity and gravitational effects.
  • Study the properties of white dwarf stars and their characteristics.
  • Explore the implications of gravitational red shift in astrophysics.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy students, astrophysics enthusiasts, and anyone preparing for exams related to stellar evolution and gravitational effects.

roam
Messages
1,265
Reaction score
12

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
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Any help guys?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K