Minimum mass and volume of Neutron star/White Dwarf fragment

[astrobooger]

I am doing research on a Science Fair Project pertaining to superdense matter. I have figured out the mechanics on how to fragment a White Dwarf, Neutron Star, or Black Hole. After they have formed, what is the lowest possible mass, volume, and density, while still ultradense?<br /><br />I have e-mailed numerous PhD level astrophysicists on the topic, and received no responses.<br /><br />If anyone knows anything on the topic, or knows another astrophysicist that would be willing to help, please e-mail me back and let me know.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Astrobooger

 

[Saiph]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>I have figured out the mechanics on how to fragment a White Dwarf, Neutron Star, or Black Hole.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote>So you've got this...but you don't fully understand how degenerate matter behaves? And fragmenting a black hole is...impossible with our current understanding of general realtivity.<br /><br />But to answer your question: I don't believe there is a minimum mass to maintain the degenerate state of matter in a white dwarf, neutron star or black hole.<br /><br />Once formed, a white dwarf or neutron star or BH can shed mass without fear of returning to a non-degenerate state. It's only when energy is put into the system (that would normally raise the temperature of a non-degenerate material) do you work towards the phase change fromd degenerate to traditional phases of matter. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#c0c0c0"><br /></font></p><p align="center"><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">----</font></em></font><font color="#666699">SaiphMOD@gmail.com </font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">-------------------</font></em></font></p><p><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">"This is my Timey Wimey Detector.  Goes "bing" when there's stuff.  It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually.  I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- </font></em></font><font size="1" color="#999999">The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[mikeemmert]

I picked up an astrophysicist in 1987 or '88 (I forgot which) when the AAS had a convention in Austin and I was driving a cab. He said the minimum mass for a neutron star is 1/20 of a solar mass.<br /><br />This source, of course, is no better than rumor, in fact it <i>is</i> a rumor <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> . It seems to make sense to me, though. Neutrons are unstable and radioactive, decaying into an electron and a proton with about an 11 minute half-life. Without serious gravitational pressure, this process would cause a small neutron star to explode.<br /><br />I don't know about the other states. You might google "strange" quarks or strange matter. There's speculation that this stuff might be stable in small masses.<br /><br />How do you propose to fragment such objects? I don't think society is rich enough to be able to afford to do this at our present level of development. Might make a good science-fiction story, though. I've got no idea at all how you could do such a thing.