Chapter 33, Problem 5Q

To determine

Why some stars end up as white dwarfs and other as neutron stars or black holes?

Answer to Problem 5Q

Solution:

Some stars end up as white dwarfs while other as neutron stars or black holes because of their masses.

Explanation of Solution

The final fates of the stars depend upon the mass of the star. Low mass stars whose mass is less than the 8 solar masses. In these low mass stars, when the hydrogen is not available for further fusion there is no radiation pressure from inside the core of to the surface. So, the gravity results in the contraction of the star as the core shrink it become white dwarfs.:

While the Large mass stars whose original mass is greater than the 8 solar masses they end up as neutron star, supernova or black holes.