What specific cosmic standoff maintains the Sun's hydrostatic stability on the main sequence?
Answer
Gravity pulling inward counteracted by fusion pressure outward
The stability defining the Sun's main sequence existence is a precise, ongoing equilibrium between two immense opposing forces. On one side is the crushing gravitational force generated by the Sun's immense mass, which constantly attempts to pull all stellar material inward toward the center. Counteracting this force is the tremendous outward pressure generated by the sustained nuclear fusion reactions occurring deep within the core, where hydrogen nuclei are converted into helium. When these two forces are perfectly balanced, the star maintains a stable size and temperature.
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