Question

If the internal pressure in a star were not great enough to balance the weight of its outer parts, the star would collapse somewhat, contracting and building up the pressure inside. On the other hand, if the pressure were greater than the weight of the overlying layers, the star would expand, thus decreasing the internal pressure. Expansion would stop, and equilibrium would again be reached when the pressure at every internal point equaled the weight of the stellar layers above that point. This process is the result of

Answer 1

Hydrostatic equilibrium is the process described in the question, where the pressure inside a star balances the weight of its outer parts.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process mentioned in the question is called hydrostatic equilibrium.

Hydrostatic equilibrium is the balance between the weight of various layers and the pressures that support them. In the interior of a star, the inward force of gravity is balanced by the outward force of gas pressure at each point, as shown in Figure 16.11 provided. If the internal pressure is not great enough, the star will collapse somewhat, increasing the pressure inside. On the other hand, if the pressure is greater, the star will expand and decrease the internal pressure.

This process of contraction and expansion continues until equilibrium is reached, where the pressure at every internal point equals the weight of the stellar layers above that point.