Physics A-Level
White dwarf
What White dwarf means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of White dwarf
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Reference: OCR
The remaining core after the outer layers are ejected, supported by electron degeneracy pressure rather than fusion, which gradually cools and fades over billions of years.
A small, dense, hot stellar remnant left after a low-mass star ejects its outer layers, with a mass comparable to the Sun but a radius comparable to a planet.
The exposed, hot core remaining after outer layers are ejected as a planetary nebula, with low luminosity and high temperature.
Topics that use White dwarf
- The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Stars (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- HR diagram
- Main sequence
- White dwarfs
- absolute magnitude
- Black hole
- Chandrasekhar limit
- Electron degeneracy pressure
- Giants and supergiants
Using White dwarf in the exam
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