What physical principle generates the repulsive force that successfully halts the collapse into a neutron star?
Answer
Neutron degeneracy pressure arising from quantum mechanical principles.
The formation of a neutron star is contingent upon a powerful counter-force emerging to oppose the crushing weight of gravity. This force is known as neutron degeneracy pressure. It is rooted in the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics, specifically the Pauli exclusion principle, which dictates that no two neutrons can occupy the exact same quantum state simultaneously. When the core matter is squeezed to such extreme densities, this resistance effectively creates an incompressible surface, preventing further compression provided the mass does not exceed the critical limit.
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