When we see X-rays from an accretion disk in a binary system, we can't immediately tell whether the accretion disk surrounds a neutron star or a black hole. Suppose we then observe each of the following phenomena in this system. Which one would rule out the possibility of a black hole?
A) Intense X-ray bursts
B) Spectral lines from the companion star that alternately shift to shorter and longer wavelengths
C) Visible and ultraviolet light from the companion star
D) Bright X-ray emission that varies on a time scale of a few hours

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of When we see X-rays from an accretion disk in a binary system, we can't immediately tell whether the accretion disk surrounds a neutron star or a black hole. Suppose we then observe each of the following phenomena in this system. Which one would rule out the possibility of a black hole?
A) Intense X-ray bursts
B) Spectral lines from the companion star that alternately shift to shorter and longer wavelengths
C) Visible and ultraviolet light from the companion star
D) Bright X-ray emission that varies on a time scale of a few hours

When We See X-Rays from an Accretion Disk in a Binary