What Prevents a Neutron Star from Collapsing and Becoming a Black

question 112

Multiple Choice

What prevents a neutron star from collapsing and becoming a black hole?

• A) Gravity in the neutron star is balanced by an outward force due to neutron degeneracy.
• B) Gravity is balanced in neutron stars by the outward centrifugal force produced by their rapid rotation.
• C) Gravity in the neutron star is balanced by an outward force due to gas pressure, as in the Sun.
• D) Neutron stars are solid, and, like any solid sphere, they are held up by the repulsive forces between atoms in the solid matter.

---

Definitions:

Nominal

A system of classification based on names rather than scales or rank ordering—for example, press, radio, and television.

Ratio

In measurement, refers to a scale that contains a “true” zero—for example, zero speed on a speedometer.

Semantic Differential-Format

A type of survey rating scale that measures people's reactions to concept words or phrases across a semantic space of polar adjectives.

Opposite Meanings

Words that have completely contrasting definitions from each other, typically used to express antonyms or contradictory concepts.