During a supernova, the outer layers of a star are blown off and the star's core shrinks down by a factor of 10,000 or more to form a neutron star. As the core shrinks, conservation of angular momentum says that

a. the core will spin faster.

b. the spin of the core does not change.

c. the core's rotational axis will precess rapidly, forming a pulsar.

d. the core will spin more slowly.

Question

Physics

Zachary Day

3 July, 20:09

During a supernova, the outer layers of a star are blown off and the star's core shrinks down by a factor of 10,000 or more to form a neutron star. As the core shrinks, conservation of angular momentum says that

a. the core will spin faster.

b. the spin of the core does not change.

c. the core's rotational axis will precess rapidly, forming a pulsar.

d. the core will spin more slowly.

+3

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Kelvin Christensen · Answer 1

a. the core will spin faster.

Explanation:

By law of conservation of angular momentum

(mvR) i = (mvR) f

m = mass of star

v = speed of star

R = radius of star

i = initial

f = final

since, size (R) of the star is reduced by factor of 10,000 and mass remains the same, the velocity must increase by the same factor to keep the angular momentum conserved.

Hence, a. the core will spin faster.