Question

A neutron star is the remnant left after certain supernovae (explosions of giant stars). Typically, neutron stars are about 17 km in diameter and have around the same mass as our sun. What is a typical neutron star density in g/cm3

Answer 1

To solve this concept we will apply the mathematical equations concerning the calculation of Volume in a sphere and the relation of density as a function of mass and volume, that is

The volume of the neutron star is

$V = \frac{4\pi }{3}R^3$

$V = \frac{4 \pi}{3} (\frac{17*10^{5}cm}{2})^3$

$V = 25.72^{17}cm^3$

Now the density of the neutron star is

$\rho = \frac{M}{V}$

$\rho = \frac{1.989*10^{30}kg(\frac{10^3g}{1kg})}{25.72*10^{17}cm^3}$

$\rho = 7.733*10^{14}g/cm^3$

Therefore the density of the neutron star is $\rho = 7.733*10^{14}g/cm^3$