INSIGHT UPSC QUIZ

ANS. (C) 
The word “pulsar” is a contraction of “pulsating” star. A pulsar is formed when a massive star collapses exhausts its supply of fuel. It blasts out in a giant explosion known as a supernova, the most powerful and violent event in the universe. Without the opposing force of nuclear fusion to balance it, gravity begins to pull the mass of the star inward until it implodes. In a pulsar, gravity compacts the mass of the star until it forms an object composed primarily of neutrons packed so tightly that they no longer exist as normal matter. As the star collapses, it begins to spin more rapidly in what is known as the conservation of angular momentum. The process is similar to that of an ice skater pulling their arms in close to spin faster. What is left behind is a rapidly spinning ball of tightly packed neutrons inside an iron shell.