The energy radiated by a typical quasar requires that its black hole accrete about:
A)one solar mass a century.
B)one solar mass a decade.
C)one solar mass a year.
D)ten solar masses a year.
E)one solar mass a day.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Quasars are powered by accretion disks that surround supermassive black holes. The energy generated by the accretion process is enormous and can result in the emission of vast amounts of energy in the form of light and other electromagnetic radiation. The energy output of a typical quasar is equivalent to the conversion of approximately ten solar masses into energy per year. Therefore, choice D, ten solar masses a year, is the correct answer. Quasars are powered by supermassive black holes accreting mass at very high rates. The energy output from a quasar can be thousands of times greater than the entire output of a normal galaxy, and this requires a very high rate of accretion. Estimates suggest that quasars must accrete roughly ten solar masses per year to power their energy output.

The Energy Radiated by a Typical Quasar Requires That Its