Thermodynamics, Statistical Physics, and Quantum Mechanics

QUANTUM MECHANICS 327

where we used for an estimate an electron energy of the form since

we have already established that they are relativistic. We can obtain a

correct value of for them:

where we have used the result of (c), The total energy of the

star is

c) Let We need to find the minimum of the expression

where

Setting the derivative of S.5.73.15 equal to zero gives

Finally,

So the minimum energy corresponds to a star consisting mostly
of neutrons.