HaitiLibre Quiz

Astronomy 3.1 WORLD

Difficulty Level: N3 Hard
Astronomy is the foundation of our universal understanding, a discipline that has propelled humanity from the simple observation of natural cycles to the mastery of the fundamental laws of physics. By probing the confines of the cosmos, our civilization defines its place in time and space, transforming each technical discovery into major philosophical and technological progress.
Progress 1 / 10
What physical mechanism explains the mass limit beyond which a white dwarf collapses, known as the Chandrasekhar limit ?

75% of players answered correctly.

THE CORRECT ANSWER: Electron degeneracy pressure

The Chandrasekhar limit, established at around 1.44 solar masses, represents the maximum mass a white dwarf can support before succumbing to its own gravity. At this stage of stellar evolution, nuclear fusion has ceased and the star does not collapse thanks to the pressure of electron degeneracy, a quantum phenomenon governed by the Pauli exclusion principle. This principle states that two fermions, like electrons, cannot occupy the same quantum state, thus creating a compressive resisting force. However, when the mass exceeds this critical limit, the speed of the electrons becomes relativistic and the degeneracy pressure is no longer sufficient to counter the gravitational attraction.The star then suddenly collapses, often causing a Type Ia supernova or the formation of a neutron star. This discovery was fundamental to understanding the final fate of stars and the chemical evolution of galaxies through the ages.