Homework 2

Textbook Problems: 10.3,10.4,10.7,10.13,10.14
Due: 10/28/2009



Estimate the ratio of radiation pressure to gas pressure in the core of the Sun. Assume that the core of the Sun has temperature T = 15.5 million K, density 150 grams per cubic centimeter, and has composition 90 % hydrogen and 10 % helium by number. For what temperature would radition pressure and gas pressure be of the same size in the core of the Sun?



For a star with mass M*, radius R*, and density profile, as
density = (central density) x (1-r/R*)
where r is the radial coordinate, find



Consider a star with radius R* with constant density. Assume that the star is pure hydrogen and obeys the ideal gas law (for the pressure).