What Causes a Glitch in the Rotation Rate of a Pulsar

question 15

Multiple Choice

What causes a glitch in the rotation rate of a pulsar?

• A) Hot spots develop on the surface of a neutron star, and from these spots jets of material can suddenly shoot out causing a minor but abrupt chance in the rotation rate.
• B) Because of their enormous density, the rotation rates of neutron stars are quantized and must change abruptly from one rotation rate to another.
• C) As the star slows, its shape becomes more spherical. If its rotation rate adjusts to this suddenly, a glitch occurs.
• D) When a pulsar occurs in a binary system, the binary companion can send clumps of material to land on its surface. This will change its rotation rate abruptly.