What fundamental property links a star's mass to its resulting characteristics like luminosity and temperature?

Answer

Stellar mass is intrinsically tied to a star's position in the main sequence, dictating its luminosity, temperature, and lifespan.

Stellar mass is the single most deterministic factor governing nearly every observable and evolutionary trait of a star while it resides on the main sequence. The amount of material a star starts with dictates the magnitude of the gravitational forces compressing its core. This compression, in turn, controls the rate and intensity of thermonuclear fusion occurring within the core, which directly translates into measurable properties such as the star's surface temperature and its total energy output (luminosity). Consequently, mass defines the star's entire trajectory, including how long it can sustain this equilibrium.

What fundamental property links a star's mass to its resulting characteristics like luminosity and temperature?

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stellar classificationstar massK stars