Properties of Main Sequence Stars
Main sequence stars are characterised by the source of their energy. They are all undergoing fusion of hydrogen into helium within their cores. The rate at which they do this and the amount of fuel available depends upon the mass of the star. Mass is the key factor in determining the lifespan of a main sequence star, its size and its luminosity. Stars on the main sequence also appear to be unchanging for long periods of time. Any model of such stars must be able to account for their stability.
Hydrostatic Equilibrium
The simple model of any main sequence star is of a dense gas/fluid in a state of hydrostatic equilibrium. The inward acting force, gravity, is balanced by outward acting forces of gas pressure and the radiation pressure. Apart from the extremely hot but tenuous corona , the pressure and temperature of stars basically increases as you approach the core.
Main sequence stars essentially have a fixed size that is a function of their mass. The more massive the star, the greater its gravitational pull inwards. This in turn compresses the gas more. As you try and compress a gas it exerts a gas pressure back, it resists the compression. In stars this gas pressure alone is not sufficient to withstand the gravitational collapse. Once the core temperature has reached about 10 million K, fusion of hydrogen occurs, releasing energy. This energy exerts an outwards radiation pressure due to the action of the photons on the extremely dense matter in the core. The radiation pressure combined with the gas pressure balances the inward pull of gravity preventing further collapse.
Stellar Mass
As was apparent from the evolutionary Hayashi tracks on the previous page, a star's position on the main sequence its actually a function of its mass. This is an incredibly useful relationship, called the mass-luminosity relation. If we know where on the main sequence a star is we can infer its mass. In general the more massive a star is, the further up the main sequence it is found and the more luminous it is. Mathematically this relation is expressed by:
log(L/LSun)= n log(M/MSun) or
L/LSun = (M/MSun)n (Equation 6.1)
where n is about 4 for Sun-like stars, 3 for the more massive stars and 2.5 for dim red main sequence stars. (*Note this formula is not required for HSC exams). A 0.1 solar mass star has only about one-thousandth the luminosity of the Sun whereas a 10-solar mass star is has a luminosity 10,000 × that of our Sun.
Properties of Main Sequence Stars
Hydrostatic Equilibrium
Stellar Mass
Main Sequence Lifespan
Composition
Table of Properties