What relationship links the star's mass to the required core temperature for maintaining stability?
Answer
A more massive star requires a significantly hotter core to balance the greater inward pull of gravity
There is a direct and strong physical correlation between a star's total mass and the intensity of the conditions needed at its core. Since gravity scales with mass, a star possessing significantly greater mass exerts a correspondingly stronger inward gravitational force attempting to crush the stellar material. To counteract this increased inward pull and maintain hydrostatic equilibrium, the core must generate substantially higher outward pressure. This increased pressure is achieved only by maintaining a much hotter core temperature, which accelerates the rate of nuclear fusion to meet the demands of the greater weight.
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