A typical white dwarf has a mass of about 1.0MSun and the radius of Earth (about 6400 kilometers). Calculate the average density of a white dwarf, in kilograms per cubic centimeter.

How does this compare to the mass of familiar objects?

Respuesta :

Answer:

ρ = 1.8 10⁹  kg / m³

Explanation:

The very useful concept of density is defined as the relationship between more than one body and its volume

      ρ = m / V

In this case we assume that the white dwarf in a sphere, so its volume is

     V = 4/3 π R³

Let's reduce the magnitudes to the SI system

Mass of the star M = 1.0 Msun (1,991 1030kg / 1mSun) = 1,991 10³⁰kg

Star radii R = 6400 km (1000m / 1km) = 6.4 10⁶ m

Let's calculate

      V = 4/3  π (6.4 10⁶)³

      V = 1,098  10²¹ m³

     ρ = 1,991 10³⁰ / 1,098 10²¹

    ρ = 1.8 10⁹  kg / m³

We compare with some materials

Water          997 kg / m³

Steel         7850 kg / m³

aluminum 2700 kg / m³

We see that the density of the star is much order of magnitude greater than that of ordinary materials