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You are here: Experts > Science > Space and Astronomy for Kids > Astronomy > Neutron star formation with different forces
Astronomy - Neutron star formation with different forces
Expert: Philip Stahl - 11/9/2009
Question
Would it be possible that a collapsing star directly become a neutron star without lightening up if the forces of nature were slightly different? For instance if the electrostatic force were a bit stronger the fusion of the protons would not happen. Same if the strong nuclear force were a bit weaker.
Also, isn't it weird that the speed of light is just exactly right to create stellar black holes from neutron stars ( when the neutron star mass is ~2 solar masses )? Aren't the chances of that happening by chance very slim?
Thank you.
Answer
Hello,
Alas, if the changes noted by you were in effect, it would be doubtful there'd be any stars at all. No fusion process, say if the Coulomb repulsion barrier is too high to permit quantum tunnelling and even the most basic (H1 + H1-> D2) reaction. So no stars, or very few. And hence no collapsars at all. Bear in mind collapsars occur when the weight of the (mainly interior - metal rich) stellar layers far exceeds the outward radiation pressure as a result of fusion.
Of course, if the gravitational constant G were a bit greater, it is possible to imagine a preponderance of more collapsars since gravity would then almost always win the early battle v. radiation pressure.
In respect to the latter question(s), I am not quite sure what you mean, perhaps you could elaborate. What do you mean the "speed of light is exactly right to create black holes from neutron stars"?
Btw, the '2 solar mass limit' (threshold) to which you refer is not engraved in stone. I have seen recent estimates upward of 3 solar masses before a bona fide hole is formed.
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