What dynamic process causes heavier stars to sink toward the core of a globular cluster?

Mass segregation

Mass segregation is a direct result of the frequent gravitational encounters that define the dynamical evolution of dense stellar systems like globular clusters. This process dictates that stars do not maintain random positions indefinitely; instead, over immense timescales, heavier stars systematically sink toward the center of the cluster due to these constant interactions. Conversely, lighter stars tend to gain energy from these close passes and migrate outward toward the cluster's periphery. This continuous sorting process results in a spatial gradient where the stars found in the core share the common characteristic of being dynamically heavier than the average cluster member, leading to a steep rise in the mass-to-light ratio as one moves inward toward the center.