A Binary System Is Formed with a Neutron Star and Another

question 105

Multiple Choice

A binary system is formed with a neutron star and another star that has overflowed its Roche lobe. How does the detection of this binary differ from the detection of an isolated neutron star?

• A) The outer layers of the larger star envelop the neutron star, so only the spectrum of the larger star is detected.
• B) This binary may emit intense X-rays while an isolated neutron star emits radio waves.
• C) The interaction of the larger star with the neutron star may slow the neutron star's rotation to the point where it no longer rotates. One then sees a steady radio beam rather than the series of pulses that the lighthouse model predicts for an isolated neutron star.
• D) The spectrum of the larger star swamps the spectrum of the neutron star, thus showing a standard thermal blackbody spectrum. An isolated neutron star produces a nonthermal radiation spectrum.

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Definitions:

Long-Term Memory

The capacity for holding, storing, and retrieving information over prolonged periods, often encompassing a lifetime.

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory loss, and changes in behavior, attributed to brain cell death and the breakdown of connections between neurons.

Elaborative Rehearsal

A memory technique that involves thinking about the meaning of the information and making connections to existing memories or knowledge.

Maintenance Rehearsal

A cognitive process involving the repetition of information to keep it in short-term memory or to encode it into long-term memory.