Mass-Radius relation of a Neutron star

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the Mass-Radius relationship of neutron stars, exploring the necessary expressions for neutron degeneracy pressure and hydrostatic equilibrium. Participants seek to understand the mathematical framework and parameters involved in modeling neutron stars, contrasting it with white dwarfs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests assistance in determining the neutron degeneracy pressure expression and its application in hydrostatic equilibrium, expressing uncertainty about the density ratio for neutron stars.
  • Another participant provides a non-relativistic expression for degeneracy pressure, suggesting a method to derive it from the total energy of a degenerate neutron gas.
  • A third participant presents a specific model for the neutron star mass-radius relation, detailing equations based on the proton charge radius and the Tolman mass equation, including calculations for neutron star core density and total mass for a given radius.
  • A later reply inquires about the mass-radius equation for white dwarfs, indicating a comparative interest in the two stellar types.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the mass-radius relationship for neutron stars, as multiple models and expressions are discussed without agreement on a single approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding specific parameters, such as the density ratio for neutron stars, and the discussion includes various assumptions and conditions related to the models presented.

Tuugii
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Hey all,

I need a help to determine the Mass-Radius relationship for a neutron star. I've done it for a white dwarf, but for a neutron star I need to know the Neutron degeneracy pressure expression, can anyone please help me to solve it?

I am thinking that if I have the n.deg.pressure expression then I can use the hydrostatic equilibrium, and assume the masses of proton and neutron to be exactly equal;

I am not sure, but I might also need the density ratio? is it correct? for instance for a white dwarf, I have [ro_c]/[ro_mean] = 5.99, I don't know the value for a neutron star.

please help me,
thanks,
T
 
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for non relativistic case the degeneracy pressure varies as:- p=k*(density)^(5/3). The 'k' here you can easily calculate my first calculating the total energy of degenerate neutron gas and then differentiating it w.r.t volume to get pressure.
 
neutron star mass-radius relation...


The neutron star mass-radius relation is dependent on a particular neutron star model, however the mass-radius relation for my model based upon the Proton charge radius and Tolman mass equation solution VII:

m_n = 1.6749272928 \cdot 10^{-27} \; \text{kg} - Neutron mass
r_p = 0.8757 \cdot 10^{-15} \; \text{m} - Proton charge radius

Proton charge radius neutron density:
\rho_n = \frac{3 m_n}{4 \pi r_p^3}

Neutron star core density equivalent to Proton charge radius neutron density:
\rho_c = \rho_n

Total Tolman mass equation solution VII:
M_0(R) = \frac{8 \pi \rho_c R^3}{15} = \frac{8 \pi R^3}{15} \left( \frac{3 m_n}{4 \pi r_p^3} \right) = \frac{2 m_n R^3}{5 r_p^3}

Total mass-radius equation for the Tolman solution VII:
\boxed{M_0(R) = \frac{2 m_n R^3}{5 r_p^3}}

Mass of a 10 km radius Tolman VII neutron star:
\boxed{M_0(10 \; \text{km}) = 9.976 \cdot 10^{29} \; \text{kg}}

Note that the lower limit for total radius R, is equivalent to the Schwarzschild radius and the upper limit for total mass M(R), is equivalent to the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkov mass limit.
[/Color]
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron"
https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1718805&postcount=39"
https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1792334&postcount=47"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwarzschild_radius"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff_limit"
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Tuugii, what is your mass-radius equation for a white dwarf?
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