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EXERCISE 9
(NOTE: This exercise is a continuation of Exercise 8.) What could produce a burst of energy as powerful as GRB031332? (a) If two neutron stars, each twice the mass of the Sun, fell toward each other and collided, how much gravitational potential energy would be released? How does this compare with the energy released by GRB031332? (b) Would it be possible for a burst of energy of this size to be released if ordinary stars or diffuse gas totaling 2 times the mass of the Sun fell onto a 2-solar-mass neutron star? Explain your reasoning. |