What is the Chandrasekhar limit for White Dwarf Stars?

This video provides a simplified step by step derivation of the Chandrasekhar limit for White Dwarf stars. After briefly discussing the history of white dwarf stars, an overview of electron degeneracy pressure is provided. Using a combination of quantum mechanics and Einstein's theory of special relativity, the Chandrasekhar mass is derived. The video ends with a discussion of the conflict between Chandrasekhar and Eddington.

References:

Gravity from the ground up - Schutz
The Quantum Universe - Cox and Forshaw
Black Holes and Time Warps - Kip Thorne
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Griffiths and Schroeter
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Phillips
Astrophysics in a Nutshell - Maoz
The Planck Mass and the Chandrasekhar limit - Garfinkle

[PhysicsExplainedVideos]

There is a small typo at 08:20, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle should be written as (delta x)(delta p) ≥ h-bar/2 without the pi! Sorry about that, let me know if you spot any others.

[bobhope]

After deriving the electron degeneracy equation: “the fact that density changes throughout the radius of the star is rather complex and beyond the scope of this video.” Not sure I should have laughed so hard at that line.

[polyreza]

The way you explain tough scientific concepts is incredible. As far as I know, you are the only channel that provides mathematics of such theories in detail. Awesome. Keep it up

[MoxlyMakesGames]

Man, what a coincidence! I was just looking through your channel wondering why you haven't uploaded in a while, then suddenly you dropped this gem! Thanks for all the good work, man.

[HectaSpyrit]

I will never get tired of Physics Explained videos

[sphakamisozondi]

When the scientific world needed him... He returns!

[stephuf]

Fantastic ! I could not do it again on my own, but you succeeded in bringing me so far ! I would not have imagined before that I could more or less understand this. Thank you !

[jasperism]

Imagine the immense progress in astrophysics if Chandrasekhar wasn't harassed into a 25 year break.

[supreetsahu]

What a great video! Also special thanks for featuring an Indian scientist. Most of us are unaware of the actual contribution of Indians to Science. It is either underappreciated by most people or grossly overestimated by nationalists.

[dfactotum]

Regarding Eddington's opposition to this, I can't help but remember the Arthur C. Clarke quote: "If an elderly but distinguished scientist says something is possible, he is almost certainly right. If he says that it is impossible, he is very probably wrong."

[Kya-Kab-Kaha-Kyu-Kaun-Kaise]

In some universe, Chandra might have continued his work. A big WHAT IF to thought about.
Thank you so much for this video

[JC-zwvs]

Simply astounding how much you can achieve using high school mathematics and some good approximations. I also like the way you explain the limitations of your approach and the effect that has on the prediction. Many many thanks for this!

[taufiqutomo]

Even though your videos are usually 30-60 minutes, I play them at least twice. Once to sleep, and once more to try to understand its contents.

[amazen]

You have one of the best physics channels on YouTube. Great work.

[jannegrey]

Fantastic video as usual. Shame about Chandrasekhar's work not being accepted initially (probably in some way because he was Indian - though we can see that Eddington was always scared of black holes). I hope next time we will see a video on Neutron Stars then ;) I'm joking of course - any in-depth video you make is going to be interesting and a nice surprise, but a welcome one.

[UteChewb]

Thank you so much for this. Way back in prehistory when I was studying this stuff, I read Chandrasekhar's book on astrophysics. I remember thinking how elegant his theory was. Beautiful. But I have forgotten everything about it, so it is wonderful to see a gentle re-introduction.

[starryfolks]

Brilliant. This kinda thing should be awarded.

[rallymax]

Wow. Your most comprehensive wonderfully articulated subject yet. I wish I had received teaching like yours when I did my bachelor’s in physics. I feel I would have been a different person.

[samw]

Great video as usual. Bringing everything down to calculus and well known physical laws which are understood by most engineers and students of science is welcome.

[clavinrali]

Your Channel was what YouTube was missing. Thank you ! I've been searching for a channel that Explains and derive equations of amazing scientific principles !