Problem Set 5

HCAstro Winter Training 2021

1. Variable stars are a particularly interesting class of stars. Their evolution is often
very intriguing, as they exhibit certain phenomena not seen in other stars.
a) Define the term “variable star”, and explain the difference between intrinsic and
extrinsic variables. Are all intrinsic variables pulsating?
b) On a HR diagram, indicate the position of the instability strip relative to the
main sequence and the giant stars.
c) The two most important classes of pulsating variables on the instability strip are
the Cepheid variables, and RR Lyrae variables. On the diagram you sketched in
(b), indicate the position of the Type I and Type II Cepheids, as well as the RR
Lyrae variables.
d) Variables in the instability strip pulsate due to the κ-mechanism1 , also known as
the Eddington valve. Explain this phenomenon.

2. Degenerate matter is an exotic type of matter that frequently arises in stellar evo-
lution. Whereas normal matter (e.g. in stars or nebulae) are supported against gravita-
tional collapse by thermal pressure, degenerate matter uses degeneracy pressure.
a) State the two most common types of degenerate matter, most frequently arising
in white dwarves and neutron stars respectively.
b) In terms of Pauli’s Exclusion Principle, explain the cause of degeneracy pressure.
c) Consider a star made entirely of degenerate matter (e.g. white dwarf or neutron
star). Suppose mass is added onto the star, such as via gravitational accretion. By
considering the balance of forces acting on the star, explain whether the radius of
the star will increase or decrease.

3. The law of conservation of angular momentum may be used to solve many orbital
mechanics problems. Consider a system where a mass m orbits a much larger mass M
in an elliptical orbit.
a) State Kepler’s first law. Hence, sketch the path of m about M .
1
Pronounced “kappa-mechanism”.

1
 b) State the law of conservation of angular momentum and the conditions under
which it holds. Hence, explain why this system satisfies the law of conservation
of angular momentum.
c) Using conservation of angular momentum, find a relationship between the speeds
of m at periapsis and apoapsis, in terms of the distance of periapsis and apoapsis
from the larger mass M .

4. The Big Bang theory and cosmic inflation are the source of numerous confusions.
a) The idea of cosmic inflation posits that the universe is expanding. If the universe
is infinite, then what is it expanding into?
b) It is often said in popular science that the Big Bang is where space and time
began. In terms of limitations in our ability to extrapolate general relativity and
quantum physics to the past, explain why this view is not correct.
c) From Einstein’s special relativity, we know that objects cannot travel faster than
light. Does this mean that space cannot expand faster than light, so that light from
all arbitrarily distant galaxies must eventually reach us given enough time?

5. Cosmologists often speak of the “shape” of the universe. This is rather counterin-
tuitive, since it is not clear how the universe, a three-dimensional space, can have a
shape!
a) One property that determines the shape of the universe is its curvature. By com-
paring the plane and the sphere, which are examples of two dimensional spaces,
explain how measuring the angles in a triangle in each of these spaces allows one
to distinguish between them due to curvature. Then, extend this analogy to three
dimensional space to explain how cosmologists may estimate the local curvature
of the universe.
b) Best measurements using the method described in (a) indicate the universe is ap-
proximately flat, as of 2021. Explain why this method alone cannot, however,
prove the flatness of the universe, even if we refine our measurements to arbitrar-
ily high precision.