What compelling evidence links pulsars to neutron stars?
A)Both pulsars and neutron stars can be found in globular star clusters.
B)Pulsars are known to evolve into neutron stars.
C)Only a small, very dense source could rotate that rapidly without flying apart.
D)Pulsars are always found in binary systems with neutron stars.
E)Both pulsars and neutron stars have been discovered near the Sun.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rapid rotation of pulsars and their intense magnetic fields suggest that they are extremely compact and dense, which is consistent with the characteristics of neutron stars. Only a small, very dense source could rotate that rapidly without flying apart. This is the most compelling evidence that links pulsars to neutron stars. While pulsars can be found in binary systems with neutron stars (choice D), this is not always the case, and there are also many other types of binary systems. The high rotation rate of pulsars, which can be as fast as hundreds of times per second, requires a very small, compact object with a strong gravitational field. Neutron stars are the only known celestial objects that meet these requirements, and strong evidence exists that pulsars are in fact rotating neutron stars.

What Compelling Evidence Links Pulsars to Neutron Stars