A star with a larger mass will require more fusion to balance gravity, due to its stronger gravitational pull and the resultant higher core pressure and temperature. Low-mass stars require less fusion and tend to have longer lifespans because their core conditions are less extreme. The mass of a star directly affects its fusion rate and overall structure.
The comparison between the amount of nuclear fusion necessary to balance the inward gravitational force on two different stars with different masses yields a clear outcome. For a star with a larger mass, more fusion is required to balance gravity. This is because gravity's pull is stronger due to the greater mass, resulting in higher core pressure and temperature, leading to a more rapid fusion rate. On the other hand, a star with a smaller mass will have less gravitational force to counteract and thus will require less fusion. The rate of fusion depends very strongly on the core temperature, which is determined by the star's mass, with higher mass leading to higher pressure and temperature.
Different stages of a star's life, like the main-sequence stage, will have a 'balance' between the force of gravity trying to collapse the mass of a star toward its center and the opposing mechanism of nuclear fusion. The most massive stars consume their fuel at a faster rate, resulting in shorter lifespans compared to their low-mass counterparts. The mass of a star is intricately connected to its fusion rates.