EAS 1601 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Neutron Temperature, Alpha Particle, Features Of The Marvel Universe
14 Sep 2017
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Molecular cloud collapses begins to rotate and flattens into disk protostar temp and pressure increase enough for nuclear fusion to begin fusion converts mass into energy and forms elements. Hydrostatic equilibrium: a balance is maintained between thermal pressure outward from fusion in the core and inward pressure due to gravity. Main sequence: the (cid:373)ajor portio(cid:374) of a star(cid:859)s life (cid:272)y(cid:272)le. If the star is massive enough (usually ~4-8x the mass of the sun) at some point, the helium (4he) in the core will begin to fuse into carbon (12c) For very massive stars (above ~8x the mass of the sun), this can continue as temperatures and pressures in the core rise, forming progressi(cid:448)ely hea(cid:448)ier a(cid:374)d hea(cid:448)ier ele(cid:373)e(cid:374)ts . These fusion processes become progressively more rapid with the synthesis of heavier elements massive stars can make heavier elements, but they burn out quickly. Protostars can form with a wide range of initial masses.
