An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 12.12

Main-Sequence and Post-Main-Sequence Stellar Evolution — Carroll & Ostlie

Physics — Astrophysics · hydrostatic-equilibrium-jeans-mass

Problem

By invoking the requirements of hydrostatic equilibrium, explain why the assumption of a constant gas pressure P0P_0 in Eq. (12.33) cannot be correct for a static cloud without magnetic fields. What does that imply about the assumptions of constant mass density in an isothermal molecular cloud having a constant composition throughout?

Related theory

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