Chandrasekhar Limit Calculator
Calculate the maximum mass of a white dwarf supported by electron degeneracy pressure
Ye = Z/A (electrons per nucleon). C/O: 0.5, He: 0.5, Fe: 0.464
Results
Chandrasekhar Mass Limit
0.9348 M☉
(Standard value: 1.44 M☉ for Ye = 0.5)
White Dwarf Radius
6516 km (1.023 R⊕)
Central Density
5.767e+9 kg/m³
(5.77e+6 g/cm³)
Gravitational Binding Energy
7.649e+42 J
About the Chandrasekhar Limit
The Chandrasekhar limit is the maximum mass of a stable white dwarf star, approximately 1.44 solar masses. Above this limit, electron degeneracy pressure cannot support the star against gravitational collapse.
Key Formula:
Mch = ω₃(ℏc/G)^(3/2) × Ye²/mp² ≈ 1.44 M☉ × (2Ye)²
Consequences:
- M < Mch: Stable white dwarf
- M approaches Mch: Type Ia supernova (if accreting)
- M > Mch: Collapse to neutron star
Typical White Dwarf Properties:
- Mass: 0.5 - 0.7 M☉ (typical)
- Radius: ~Earth-sized (~6000 km)
- Density: ~10⁶ g/cm³