What physical state establishes when a star settles onto the main sequence?
Answer
Hydrostatic equilibrium
A star is born when gravity causes the collapse of gas and dust within a nebula until the core reaches sufficient temperature and density to ignite sustained nuclear fusion. Once fusion begins, this marks the transition to a true star. The star then settles into a stable configuration where the relentless inward crush exerted by gravity is perfectly balanced by the outward push generated by the intense radiation pressure from the nuclear reactions occurring in the core. This precise balance between inward and outward forces is termed hydrostatic equilibrium, and it defines the state where the star resides on the main sequence for the majority of its existence.
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