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Giant crystals of what are at the center of a white dwarf?

User Bayu
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Final answer:

At the center of a white dwarf star are giant crystals made of compressed and crystallized carbon atoms, forming a dense, diamond-like structure. The stable electron-degenerate core prevents further contraction, creating a 'diamond' core in the end state of a low-mass star's life cycle. Ultimately, as a white dwarf cools down over billions of years, it will eventually turn into a cold black dwarf.

Step-by-step explanation:

Giant crystals can be found at the center of a white dwarf star. These giant crystals are essentially composed of carbon atoms that have been compressed and crystallized under the extreme conditions within the white dwarf, forming a structure similar to a diamond. The immense gravitational pressure within a white dwarf creates a highly compact lattice of these atoms, resulting in electron-degenerate matter that is incredibly dense yet maintains an organized crystal structure.

Due to the degenerate core of white dwarfs, they undergo no further contraction. The white dwarf's remains stable, providing an impressively large 'diamond' at its core. However, no actual mining of this diamond-like material is possible due to the extreme crushing gravitational forces present.

The formation of giant crystals in white dwarfs stands as the culmination of a low-mass star's evolution. As a white dwarf radiates away its internal heat over time, it shines less and less until, after many billions of years, it becomes a black dwarf - a cold, dark stellar remnant mainly composed of carbon, oxygen, and neon.

User PeterGriffin
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