What two major factors determine the size of a star?
Is it
a) Gravity and Mass OR
b) The force of gravity pulling in trying to make the star as small as possible and the outward pressure from the radiation generated in the core trying to swell it up.
Thanks :) Because I'm getting confused here.
The correct answer is b) The force of gravity pulling in trying to make the star as small as possible and the outward pressure from the radiation generated in the core trying to swell it up.
Let me explain in more detail:
The size of a star is determined by a delicate balance between two major factors: gravity and the outward pressure from radiation generated in its core.
Gravity plays a significant role in determining the size of a star. It is the force that pulls all the matter of a star inward, attempting to shrink it down as small as possible. The more massive a star is, the stronger its gravitational pull, and the more it tends to collapse in on itself.
On the other hand, a star generates an immense amount of energy through nuclear fusion in its core. This energy is generated by the intense pressure and temperature at the core, causing hydrogen atoms to combine and form helium. This process releases a tremendous amount of radiation and creates an outward pressure called radiation pressure.
The radiation pressure acts as a counterforce against gravity, pushing outward and trying to expand the star. This pressure prevents the star from collapsing under its own gravity.
The equilibrium between the inward gravitational force and the outward radiation pressure determines the size of a star. If the radiation pressure dominates, the star expands, and if gravity dominates, the star shrinks. The balance between these two forces leads to the stable size of the star.
So, to summarize, the size of a star is determined by the interplay between the force of gravity pulling in and the outward pressure from the radiation generated in the core trying to swell it up.