139k views
3 votes
Main sequence stars are in hydrostatic equilibrium.
True
False

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Main sequence stars are indeed in hydrostatic equilibrium, balancing gravitational forces with internal pressure resulting from nuclear fusion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that main sequence stars are in hydrostatic equilibrium is True. Main sequence stars, including our Sun, achieve a balance between the inward force of gravity and the outward pressure produced by nuclear fusion at their cores. When a star reaches a central temperature high enough (approximately 10 million K), it can fuse hydrogen into helium, marking the star's entry into the main sequence. This process leads to a state of equilibrium where the star's rate of change slows down considerably. The star's structure is determined by two main factors: its total mass and the composition. Hydrostatic equilibrium is crucial for a star's stability; it ensures that the internal pressure is enough to support the weight of the star's outer layers, maintaining its shape and preventing collapse or uncontrolled expansion.

User Taskism
by
7.8k points

No related questions found