What is the estimated duration required for a white dwarf to become a theoretical black dwarf?
Answer
10 trillion years ($10^{13}$ years)
The final stage in the theoretical evolution of a white dwarf involves it cooling down to such an extent that it no longer emits significant visible light, becoming what is known as a black dwarf. This process requires the white dwarf to radiate away nearly all of its residual thermal energy over an immense timescale. Estimates suggest this cooling duration is around 10 trillion years, which translates to $10^{13}$ years. This period is vastly longer than the current age of the universe, making the formation of a true black dwarf a process far beyond current observable timeframes. The cooling rate slows significantly as temperatures drop, meaning the object lingers at low temperatures for eons.
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