Why Is Rapid Variability (Over the Course of Weeks)a Strong

question 8

Multiple Choice

Why is rapid variability (over the course of weeks) a strong argument that quasars are powered by supermassive black holes?

• A) Variability shows that black holes grow rapidly.
• B) Variability shows that black holes are unstable.
• C) Variability allows astronomers to estimate the size of the emitting region.
• D) Variability rules out accretion disks as the source.

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