Brown dwarfs,white dwarfs,and neutrons stars are all kept from collapsing by degeneracy pressure.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Degeneracy pressure is a quantum mechanical effect that arises from the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two fermions (particles with half-integer spin, including electrons) can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously. In compact stellar objects like brown dwarfs, white dwarfs, and neutron stars, the electrons exert a pressure that counteracts the inward force of gravity, preventing further collapse. This is known as electron degeneracy pressure. In neutron stars, the pressure is due to neutron degeneracy, as neutrons also obey the Pauli exclusion principle. Without degeneracy pressure, these objects would collapse to a singularity, known as a black hole.

Brown Dwarfs,white Dwarfs,and Neutrons Stars Are All Kept from Collapsing