What Keeps the Electrons and Ions Mixed in a White Dwarf?

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    Composition White dwarf
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interior composition of white dwarfs and the mechanisms preventing the separation of electrons and ions. Electron degeneracy pressure halts further collapse, maintaining a mixed state of electrons and ions despite the absence of atomic binding. The participants explore the implications of Coulomb's Law and gravitational forces, concluding that the immense pressures within white dwarfs prevent sedimentation and promote fusion of protons and electrons into neutrons.

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  • Understanding of electron degeneracy pressure
  • Familiarity with Coulomb's Law
  • Knowledge of stellar evolution and white dwarf characteristics
  • Basic concepts of nuclear fusion and neutronization
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TL;DR
Interior composition of white dwarfs and what keeps electrons from escaping out
As this page says: "A burnt-out star is basically a gas of electrons and ions. "

In white dwarf, further collapse of the star is stopped by electron degeneracy pressure. But, if the star material is just a soup of ions and almost free electrons, why don't the electrons and ions separate into onion-like shells? Why don't the nucleus' sink at the center of the core and begin neutronization, making a neutron star core, and leave electrons on the surface supporting themselves by electron degeneracy pressure? Why do they have to be mixed if electrons are not bound to atoms anymore?
 
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GhostLoveScore said:
Summary:: Interior composition of white dwarfs and what keeps electrons from escaping out

Why do they have to be mixed if electrons are not bound to atoms anymore?
Are you familiar with Coulomb's Law?
 
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This Coulomb's law? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulomb's_law
Of course

Aren't electrons in plasma behaving like electrons in metals, occupying conductive band and moving freely around the ions, not bound to one specific atom?
 
GhostLoveScore said:
This Coulomb's law?
Yeesss...now think about what you are suggesting as a mechanism for separation/"sedimentation" of charge... Compare magnitudes of gravitational constant and Coulomb's constant...
 
GhostLoveScore said:
Summary:: Interior composition of white dwarfs and what keeps electrons from escaping out

Why don't the nucleus' sink at the center of the core and begin neutronization, making a neutron star core,
How does a proton (or nucleus composed of protons and neutrons) become a neutron (or collection of neutrons)?
 
Bystander said:
Yeesss...now think about what you are suggesting as a mechanism for separation/"sedimentation" of charge... Compare magnitudes of gravitational constant and Coulomb's constant...
Of course, Coulomb's constant is much greater. But given the immense pressures inside a white dwarf...
Astronuc said:
How does a proton (or nucleus composed of protons and neutrons) become a neutron (or collection of neutrons)?
Hmm, I see your point. Protons and electrons must fuse together.
 

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