Chandrasekhar mass from central polytropic constants
ID: chandrasekhar-mass-from-central-polytropic-constants
An ultrarelativistic degenerate electron gas has , so it forms an index-three stellar polytrope. Insert and into that equation of state: the radius cancels, leaving the displayed mass. For fully ionized helium, and . This is the ideal limiting Chandrasekhar mass, rather than a claim that every ordinary white dwarf has that mass.
New to topics? Read the docs here!