In a white dwarf, what is the source of pressure that halts its contraction as it cools?
A) thermal pressure of the extremely hot gas
B) electrons packed so closely that they become incompressible
C) neutrons that resist being pressed further together
D) carbon nuclei that repel each other strongly because they each contain six protons
E) rapid rotation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pressure that halts the contraction of a white dwarf is electron degeneracy pressure, which arises because electrons are packed so closely that they become incompressible, according to the principles of quantum mechanics.

In a White Dwarf, What Is the Source of Pressure