Why does an accretion disk form?

An accretion disk forms whenever the matter being accreted possesses enough rotational or angular momentum that it cannot simply fall inward toward the accretor along a straight line.

Where would you typically find an accretion disk?

The most spectacular accretion disks found in nature are those of active galactic nuclei and of quasars, which are thought to be massive black holes at the center of galaxies. As matter enters the accretion disc, it follows a trajectory called a tendex line, which describes an inward spiral.

How does an accretion disk around a neutron star differ from an accretion disk around a white dwarf?

How does an accretion disk around a neutron star differ from an accretion disk around a white dwarf? The accretion disk around a neutron star is much hotter and emits higher-energy radiation.

When observing an accretion disk How can we tell if it is a neutron star or a black hole?

The light from accretion disks around black holes looks very similar to the light from disks around neutron stars, and it is not always possible to tell with certainty which object lurks at the center of the disk, although in six cases so far we’re sure that the central object is a black hole.

How does accretion happen?

Accretion is the process in which material from the outer plate and trench (during the periods of discontinuous subduction) is removed and added to the outer continental margin or by other mechanisms such as imbricate thrusting or a combination of folding and thrusting (Karig, 1974; Karig and Sherman, 1975).

What is space accretion?

In planetary science, accretion is the process in which solids agglomerate to form larger and larger objects and eventually planets are produced. The initial conditions are a disc of gas and microscopic solid particles, with a total mass of about 1\% of the gas mass.

How does an accretion disk around a neutron star differ from an accretion disk around a white dwarf quizlet?

Why do some stars end up as black holes and others not?

Why do some stars end up as black holes? The answer involves the gravity and the internal pressure within the star. Gravity wins out over the internal pressure of the star, because that pressure was produced by a normal, hot gas, and that gas is losing energy as the star radiates energy from the surface.