Electron Degeneracy Occurs When the Carbon Core of a White

question 210

Multiple Choice

Electron degeneracy occurs when the carbon core of a white dwarf becomes dense enough. Neutron degeneracy occurs when a neutron star becomes dense enough. Why is there no "proton degeneracy" in some density range between electron and neutron degeneracy?

• A) These degeneracies can occur only for neutral particles, and protons carry an electric charge.
• B) The pressure at which the electron degeneracy is overcome (so that the core collapses) is also sufficient to combine electrons and protons to form neutrons. Thus, most protons disappear when the electron degeneracy ends.
• C) Protons are too large and heavy to exert degeneracy pressure. This concept applies only to smaller, lighter particles like electrons.
• D) Protons are not governed by the Pauli exclusion principle, as are electrons and neutrons.

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