What physical element contributes to the steep temperature gradient and immense pressure at the star's center?
Answer
The sheer physical weight of the star's material above the core
The extreme conditions required for nuclear fusion, namely high pressure and temperature, are not uniform throughout the stellar structure; they are concentrated intensely at the core. This concentration arises directly from the weight of all the stellar material lying above the core region. This accumulated mass generates crushing pressure, effectively acting as an infinite compressor powered by gravity, forcing the hydrogen fuel into an incredibly dense state. This severe compression is directly linked to the high internal energy, or temperature, required to keep the protons colliding violently enough to initiate and sustain fusion reactions.
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