Stellar

Structure and Evolution

Homework 7, due April 21st

56
1. If a 1.24 solar mass Fe core undergoes complete neutronization during core
collapse, how many neutrinos are emitted? Compare this with the number of neutrinos
emitted during the main sequence lifetime (11 Myr) of a 15 solar mass star. (Use SAv3
Table 1.1 to estimate the luminosity).


2. Suppose the mass-radius relationship for a white dwarf supported solely by non-
relativistic electron degeneracy pressure is written in the form

R = R0 (M/MCh)1/3

where MCh is the Chandraskehar mass.

Derive the value of R0 for the case of a white dwarf with E = 2, giving your answer in
three forms

a. in terms of the fundamental constants mp, me, G, h, and c

b. in terms of the Compton wavelength of the electron, e = h/mec, and the
gravitational fine structure constant, G = Gmp2/hc
c. in km

You may assume any of the equations given in the notes for Lecture 16 or 17 (L16.pdf
L17.pdf on Blackboard) without deriving them, and use the values of 1 and 12 1
tabulated in the supplemental slides. (You can neglect the difference between mp and
mH.)

3. Repeat 2 for the case of a neutron star supported solely by non-relativistic neutron
degeneracy pressure, neglecting any GR effects and using the Compton wavelength of
the neutron in part b.