What fundamental physical property dictates nearly everything about a star's entire existence?
Answer
Mass
Mass is established as the single most crucial physical property determining a star's fate and characteristics. The initial amount of material dictates the gravitational pressure exerted on the core. This pressure, in turn, sets the core temperature, which controls the rate at which nuclear fusion proceeds. Therefore, mass directly dictates observable main-sequence characteristics like luminosity and surface temperature, and ultimately decides the star's entire life script, including its duration and ultimate state.
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