An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 10.26

The Sun — Carroll & Ostlie

Physics — Astrophysics · statstar-0p75-solar-mass-model

Problem

The companion website contains an example of a theoretical 1.0 M⊙1.0\,\mathrm{M}_\odot main-sequence star produced by the stellar structure code StatStar, described in Appendix L. Using StatStar, build a second main-sequence star with a mass of 0.75 M⊙0.75\,\mathrm{M}_\odot that has a homogeneous composition of X=0.7X = 0.7, Y=0.292Y = 0.292, and Z=0.008Z = 0.008. For these values, the model's luminosity and effective temperature are 0.189 L⊙0.189\,L_\odot and 3788.5 K, respectively. Compare the central temperatures, pressures, densities, and energy generation rates between the 1.0 M⊙1.0\,\mathrm{M}_\odot and 0.75 M⊙0.75\,\mathrm{M}_\odot models. Explain the differences in the central conditions of the two models.

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