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

To convert, you need to multiply your answer by 1,000,000,000 (1 billion).In summary, a star like the Sun will eventually become a red giant after exhausting most of the hydrogen in its core, and will then turn into a white dwarf after shedding its outer layers and contracting. For a white dwarf with a mass of 0.650 solar mass and a radius of 0.500 Earth radii, the average density can be calculated by dividing the mass by the volume, which is determined using the formula for the volume of a sphere. However, to get the answer in kg/m^3, the Earth radius must be converted from km to m.
  • #1
roam
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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 [tex]0.650 \times (2 \times 10^{30})=1.3 \times 10^{30}[/tex]

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

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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  • #2


You used the Earth radius in km, so you calculated the density in kg/km^3, not kg/m^3.
 

1. What is a white dwarf?

A white dwarf is a type of star that is at the end of its life cycle. It is created when a star runs out of fuel and collapses under its own gravity, leaving behind a hot, dense core.

2. How does the gravity of a white dwarf compare to that of Earth?

The gravity of a white dwarf is much stronger than that of Earth. While Earth's gravity is 9.8 meters per second squared, the gravity of a white dwarf can be millions of times stronger due to its high density.

3. What is the Chandrasekhar limit and how does it relate to white dwarf gravity?

The Chandrasekhar limit is the maximum mass that a white dwarf can have before it collapses into a neutron star or black hole. It is directly related to white dwarf gravity because as a white dwarf approaches this limit, its gravity becomes stronger and it becomes more unstable.

4. How does the mass of a white dwarf affect its gravity?

The mass of a white dwarf directly affects its gravity. As the mass increases, the gravity also increases. This is because the mass of a white dwarf is concentrated in a small volume, leading to a high density and strong gravitational pull.

5. What is the escape velocity of a white dwarf?

The escape velocity of a white dwarf depends on its mass. Generally, it is much higher than the escape velocity of Earth, which is about 11.2 kilometers per second. The escape velocity of a white dwarf can range from 8,000 to 40,000 kilometers per second depending on its mass.

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