In the lighthouse model
A) the star literally turns on and off like a lighthouse beacon.
B) all pulsars must have their poles pointed directly toward us.
C) if the beam sweeps across us, we will detect a pulse of radiation.
D) the period of pulsation must speed up as the neutron star continues collapsing.
E) the period of pulsation slows down due to the drag of the remnant on its field.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the lighthouse model, the neutron star's magnetic poles are not aligned with its rotational poles. Instead, the magnetic poles are offset, causing the emission of a beam of radiation that sweeps across space like a lighthouse beam. If the beam happens to pass over Earth, we will detect a pulse of radiation. This is the basis for the pulsar phenomenon.

In the Lighthouse Model