When we see X-rays from an accretion disk in a binary system, we can't immediately tell whether the accretion disk surrounds a neutron star or a black hole. Suppose we then observe each of the following phenomena in this system. Which one would force us to immediately rule out the possibility of a black hole?
A. bright X-ray emission that varies on a time scale of a few hours
B. spectral lines from the companion star that alternately shift to shorter and longer wavelengths
C. sudden, intense X-ray bursts
D. visible and ultraviolet light from the companion star
Answer:C
When we see X-rays from an accretion disk in a binary system, we can't immediately tell whether the accretion disk surrounds a neutron star or a black hole. Suppose we then observe each of the following phenomena in this system. Which one would force us to immediately rule out the possibility of a black hole?
A. bright X-ray emission that varies on a time scale of a few hours B. spectral lines from the companion star that alternately shift to shorter and longer wavelengths C. sudden, intense X-ray bursts D. visible and ultraviolet light from the companion star