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

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    Composition White dwarf
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the internal composition of white dwarfs, specifically addressing the mixing of electrons and ions and the mechanisms that prevent their separation. Participants explore the implications of electron degeneracy pressure and the conditions under which protons might convert to neutrons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why electrons and ions in a white dwarf do not separate into distinct layers, suggesting that if electrons are not bound to atoms, they should be able to segregate.
  • Another participant references Coulomb's Law, implying that the behavior of electrons in a plasma may resemble that in metals, where they move freely among ions.
  • There is a discussion about the relative magnitudes of gravitational and Coulomb's constants, with one participant suggesting that the immense pressures in a white dwarf could influence the behavior of charged particles.
  • A participant raises the question of how protons or nuclei can transform into neutrons, indicating a potential fusion process between protons and electrons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms that keep electrons and ions mixed in a white dwarf, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the processes involved in the potential transformation of protons into neutrons.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the assumptions underlying their claims, such as the effects of pressure on particle behavior and the conditions necessary for nuclear transformations.

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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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