- #1
jayaramas
- 30
- 0
what is the difference between a neutron star and a black hole?
Smaller stars, less than 1.4 of our suns, become white dwarfs,
larger ones, up to 2 or 3 of our suns end up as neutron stars,
bigger than that: black hole!
A neutron star is a celestial object that is created when a massive star runs out of fuel and undergoes a supernova explosion. The intense gravitational collapse during the explosion causes the protons and electrons in the star's core to combine and form neutrons, resulting in a highly dense and compact object.
A black hole is a region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it. It is formed when a massive star dies and its core collapses under its own gravity, becoming infinitely dense and creating a singularity.
Neutron stars and black holes are different in terms of their composition, size, and properties. Neutron stars are made up of only neutrons and have a maximum mass of about 2-3 times the mass of our sun. Black holes, on the other hand, have no defined surface and are infinitely dense. They can have a mass ranging from a few times the mass of our sun to billions of times the mass of our sun.
We detect neutron stars and black holes through their effects on other objects and the surrounding space. Neutron stars emit strong electromagnetic radiation, which can be detected using telescopes. Black holes, on the other hand, are invisible, but their gravitational pull can be detected through the movement of nearby objects and the distortion of light passing by them.
Yes, a neutron star can turn into a black hole if it exceeds its maximum mass limit. This can happen if it accretes matter from a companion star or undergoes a collision with another neutron star. The extra mass will cause the neutron star to collapse further, forming a black hole.