An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 18.16

Physical Processes in the Solar System — Carroll & Ostlie

Physics — Astrophysics · type-ia-supernova-carbon-oxygen-burning

Problem

For each kilogram of a carbon–oxygen composition (30% 612C30\%\,{}^{12}_6\mathrm{C}) that is burned to produce iron, 7.3×10137.3 \times 10^{13} J of energy is released. Assuming an initial 1.38 M⊙1.38\,\mathrm{M}_\odot white dwarf with a radius of 1600 km, how much iron would have to be produced to cause the star to be gravitationally unbound? How much additional iron would have to be manufactured to produce a Type Ia supernova with an average ejecta speed of 5000 km s−15000\text{ km s}^{-1}? Take the gravitational potential energy to be −5.1×1043-5.1 \times 10^{43} J for a realistic white dwarf model, and express your answers in units of M⊙\mathrm{M}_\odot.

Related theory

Browse the problem library