NEUTRON STAR Meaning and
Definition
-
A neutron star is an extremely dense celestial object that forms as the result of a supernova explosion of a massive star. It is the leftover core of the exploded star, after it has undergone a catastrophic gravitational collapse. Neutron stars are among the densest and most compact objects in the universe.
With a typical mass of about 1.4 times that of our sun, a neutron star is roughly 20 kilometers (12 miles) in diameter, giving it an incredibly high mass-to-size ratio. This density arises from the fact that it is composed mainly of closely packed neutrons, hence the name "neutron star." The enormous gravitational force crushes atomic nuclei, causing protons and electrons to merge to create neutrons.
Due to their intense gravitational fields, neutron stars possess exotic properties. They have a tremendous gravitational pull that even light cannot escape, making them excellent sources for studying extreme gravity and the behavior of matter under such exceptional conditions. Neutron stars typically spin rapidly, with rotational periods ranging from milliseconds to a few seconds, emitting beams of radiation along their magnetic poles. These beams result in regular pulses of radiation that can be detected from Earth, hence the name "pulsar."
Understanding neutron stars provides insights into fundamental physics, including the behavior of matter at extreme densities, the strong nuclear force, and the nature of black holes. Their study continues to contribute to our comprehension of the most extreme and enigmatic objects in the universe.
Common Misspellings for NEUTRON STAR
- beutron star
- meutron star
- jeutron star
- heutron star
- nwutron star
- nsutron star
- ndutron star
- nrutron star
- n4utron star
- n3utron star
- neytron star
- nehtron star
- nejtron star
- neitron star
- ne8tron star
- ne7tron star
- neurron star
- neufron star
- neugron star
- neutronstar
Etymology of NEUTRON STAR
The word "neutron" comes from the Latin word "neutron" which means "neutral" or "neuter". The term "neutron" was introduced by the scientist Ernest Rutherford in 1921 to describe one of the particles found in the nucleus of an atom.
The word "star" comes from the Old English word "steorra" which evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "sternō" meaning "star". This word has roots in various ancient Indo-European languages.
Therefore, the term "neutron star" combines the word "neutron", referring to the neutral particle found in atomic nuclei, with "star", denoting a celestial object that emits light and heat through nuclear fusion.
Similar spelling words for NEUTRON STAR
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
