Why do you expect neutron stars to spin rapidly?

Answer 1

This is because of a law called conservation of angular momentum. If a star - which will usually have some rotation, and therefore some rotational momentum - collapses to a size of 20-30 km., angular momentum is conserved. Since the diameter decreases, it must spin faster. (Angular momentum is the product of a quantity called moment of inertia, which depends on the diameter of an object, and angular velocity.)

Answer 2

There is a law of convservation of rotational momentum. When a star collapses to a neutron star, it will maintain most of its rotational momentum - all of it, if it doesn't manage to lose some of its momentum during the collapse. Maintaining the rotational momentum requires the star to spin faster.

Answer 3

It varies; they will spin slower over time. Some spin once every few milliseconds; others, once every few seconds.

It varies; they will spin slower over time. Some spin once every few milliseconds; others, once every few seconds.

It varies; they will spin slower over time. Some spin once every few milliseconds; others, once every few seconds.

It varies; they will spin slower over time. Some spin once every few milliseconds; others, once every few seconds.

Answer 4

All neutron stars rotate at slightly different speeds, depending on the conditions when they formed. In fact, when astronomers first detected the pulses from rotating neutron stars, or "pulsars", they were called "LGM signals" for "little green men". The signals were so PRECISELY regular that astronomers thought that they couldn't be natural, and that they might be interstellar navigational beacons set up by alien civilizations!

The truth, however, was much more mundane. Darn!

Answer 5

It varies; they will spin slower over time. Some spin once every few milliseconds; others, once every few seconds.