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Chapter 7: Problem 22

What is an accretion disk?

Short Answer

Expert verified
An accretion disk is a flattened, disk-like structure composed of matter spiraling inward towards a massive object due to gravitational forces.

Step by step solution

01

Define accretion

Accretion is the process by which matter is pulled in by the gravitational force of a massive object. This matter can come from various sources such as interstellar gas, dust, or even nearby stars.
02

Explain the formation of the disk

As matter moves closer to the massive object, it starts to spiral inward due to angular momentum conservation. This spiraling motion causes the matter to flatten into a disk-like shape.
03

Describe the accretion disk

An accretion disk is the structure that forms around a massive object due to the accretion process. It is made up of matter that orbits the object and gradually spirals inward, eventually being absorbed by the massive object.
04

Describe locations where accretion disks are found

Accretion disks are commonly found around various astronomical objects like black holes, neutron stars, and young stars. They play a crucial role in the growth and evolution of these objects by supplying them with matter.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

gravitational force
Gravitational force is a fundamental force of nature that pulls two objects with mass toward each other. It is the reason we stay grounded on Earth and why planets orbit stars. The strength of gravity depends on the masses of the objects and the distance between them. Isaac Newton formulated the law of universal gravitation as:
angular momentum conservation
Angular momentum conservation is a principle stating that the total angular momentum of a system remains constant if no external torque acts on it. Angular momentum is the rotational equivalent of linear momentum. For example, when a figure skater pulls their arms in, they spin faster because their angular momentum is conserved.
astronomical objects
Astronomical objects are celestial entities that exist in space, ranging from small asteroids to massive stars and galaxies. Some of the most well-known astronomical objects include:

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Using the exoplanet catalogs: a. Go to the "Catalog" Web page (http://exoplanet.eu/catalog) of the Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia and set to "All Planets detected." Look for a star that has multiple planets. Make a graph showing the distances of the planets from that star, and note the masses and sizes of the planets. Put the Solar System planets on the same axis. How does this extrasolar planet system compare with the Solar System? b. Go to the "Exoplanets Data Explorer" website (http:// exoplanets.org and click on "Table." This website lists planets that have detailed orbital data published in scientific journals, and it may have a smaller total count than the website in part (a). Pick a planet that was discovered this year or last, as specified in the "First Reference" column. What is the planet's minimum mass? What is its semimajor axis and the period of its orbit? What is the eccentricity of its orbit? Click on the star name in the first column to get more information. Is there a radial velocity curve for this planet? Was it observed in transit, and if so, what is the planet's radius and density? Is it more like Jupiter or more like Earth?

How does the law of conservation of angular momentum control a figure-skater's rate of spin?

What is the source of the material that now makes up the Sun and the rest of the Solar System?

The planets in the inner part of the Solar System are made primarily of refractory materials; the planets in the outer Solar System are made primarily of volatiles. The difference occurred because a. refractory materials are heavier than volatiles, so they sank farther into the nebula. b. there were no volatiles in the inner part of the accretion disk. c. the volatiles on the inner planets were lost soon after the planet formed. d. the outer Solar System has gained more volatiles from space since formation.

A planet in the "habitable zone" a. is close to the central star. b. is far from the central star. c. is the same distance from its star as Earth is from the Sun. d. is at a distance where liquid water can exist on the surface.
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