What fundamental physical characteristic dictates the necessary core temperature for hydrostatic equilibrium in a star?
Answer
The star's mass
The core temperature of a star is fundamentally determined by its mass. Greater mass leads directly to increased gravitational pressure squeezing the star's center. To counteract this immense inward force and prevent catastrophic collapse—a condition known as hydrostatic equilibrium—the thermonuclear reactions in the core must generate a proportionally higher outward pressure, which necessitates a significantly higher core temperature. Therefore, the more massive the star, the hotter its required internal furnace must be.
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