Concept explainers
To discuss:
The effects on Earth if the Sun is suddenly replaced by a
The appearance of this white dwarf when viewed from the Earth.
Whetherit can be seen by naked eye or not.
Whether the surface temperature of the Earth would remain the same or not.
Explanation of Solution
Given data:
Formula used:
Luminosity can be found by using the formula
Where,
Stefan-Boltzmannlaw
Where,
Calculation:
For the Sun
Where
The newly formed white dwarf would be
Let
Using the formula,
Conclusion:
Even though white dwarfs said to be cooler, newly formed white dwarfs are much hotter and luminous than the Sun. Since the core temperature increases rapidly due to the Helium fusion, a typical newly formed white dwarf’s surface temperature is estimated to be about
Even the present-day Sun cannot be viewed safely with unaided eye. Therefore, it is not safe to see a white dwarf by the naked eye. Besides, the surface temperature would be
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Chapter 20 Solutions
Universe: Stars And Galaxies
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