Question

Calculate the density of a neutron star with a radius 1.7 x 104 m, assuming the mass is distributed uniformly. Treat the neutron star as a giant nucleus and consider the mass of a nucleon 1.675 x 10-27 kg. Your answer should be in the form of N x 1017 kg/m3. Enter only the number N with two decimal places, do not enter unit.

Answer 1

Volume of a neutron star is given by -

V = (4/3) r³

V = [(4/3) (3.14) (1.7 x 10⁴ m)³]

V = 2.05 x 10¹³ m³

Therefore, the density of a neutron star which will be given by -

= m / V

where, m = mass of a star = 1.675 x 10^-27 kg

then, we get

= [(1.68 x 10³⁰ kg) / (2.05 x 10¹³ m³)]

= 8.19 x 10¹⁶ kg/m³

= 0.82 x 10¹⁷ kg/m³