An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 16.6

General Relativity and Black Holes — Carroll & Ostlie

Physics — Astrophysics · relativistic-electron-degeneracy-pressure

Problem

In the extreme relativistic limit, the electron speed

v = c

must be used instead of Eq. (16.10) to find the electron degeneracy pressure. Use this to repeat the derivation of Eq. (16.11) and find

P \approx \frac{\hbar c}{\sqrt{3}} \left[ \left(\frac{Z}{A}\right) \frac{\rho}{m_H} \right]^{4/3}.