An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 16.3

General Relativity and Black Holes — Carroll & Ostlie

Physics — Astrophysics · white-dwarf-hydrogen-fraction

Problem

Deduce a rough upper limit for

X

, the mass fraction of hydrogen, in the interior of a white dwarf. Hint: Use the mass and average density for Sirius B in the equations for the nuclear energy generation rate, and take

T = 10^7

K for the central temperature. Set

\psi_{pp}

and

f_{pp} = 1

in Eq. (10.47) for the pp chain, and

X_{\rm CNO} = 1

in Eq. (10.59) for the CNO cycle.

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