What is the average density and free-fall acceleration of a white dwarf?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the average density and free-fall acceleration of a white dwarf with a mass of 0.650 solar masses and a radius of 0.500 Earth radii. The average density was initially calculated as 9.6 × 10^18 kg/km³, but it was pointed out that the correct unit conversion was not applied, leading to an incorrect density value. The correct average density is approximately 9.56 billion kg/m³. The conversation emphasizes the importance of using consistent units in calculations. Accurate calculations are crucial for understanding the physical properties of white dwarfs.
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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 N m2 kg–2.

Consider a white dwarf of 0.650 solar mass and 0.500 Earth radii.

(a) Calculate the average density of the white dwarf

(b) Calculate the free-fall acceleration on the surface of the white dwarf

The Attempt at a Solution



(a) I believe the average density is given by mass/volume

mass is 0.650 \times (2 \times 10^{30})=1.3 \times 10^{30}

volume is \frac{4}{3}\pi (0.5 \times 6380)^3 = 1.35 \times 10^{11}

m/v=9.6 × 1018

But the correct answer is 9560000000 kg/m³. I appreciate it if anyone could show me what's wrong with my working :confused:
 
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You used the Earth radius in km, so you calculated the density in kg/km^3, not kg/m^3.
 
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