Required mass for hydrogen burning in stars

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    Hydrogen Mass Stars
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SUMMARY

The required mass to ignite the proton-proton (PP) chain reaction in stars at a temperature of 4 x 106K with a mean molecular weight (μ) of 0.62 is approximately 8% of the Sun's mass. The relationship between the radius and mass of a star is given by the equation (R/Rsun) = (M/Msun)3/7. The energy per nucleon in the PP process is approximately 6.5 MeV. To calculate the temperature of the gas or plasma based on the mass of the object, the formula T = (μG)/(2Rr) can be utilized, where R is the gas constant and r is the radius.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of stellar physics and the proton-proton chain reaction
  • Familiarity with thermodynamic equations, specifically T = (μG)/(2Rr)
  • Knowledge of the relationship between mass and radius in stellar structures
  • Basic concepts of energy per nucleon in nuclear fusion processes
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of the mass-radius relationship for stars using (R/Rsun) = (M/Msun)3/7
  • Study the proton-proton chain reaction and its energy output in detail
  • Learn about the ideal gas law and its applications in stellar environments
  • Explore the implications of mean molecular weight (μ) in stellar thermodynamics
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy students, astrophysicists, and anyone interested in stellar formation and nuclear fusion processes in stars will benefit from this discussion.

ted1986
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Hello all!

I have to calculate the required mass to ignite the PP chain when the given temperature is 4*10^6K and \mu=0.62. (I know the answer is about 8% from the sun's mass)…
I don't know exactly how to do it :-/ I know that (R/Rsun)=(M/Msun)^(3/7), The energy per nucleon in PP process is about 6.5MeV… I guess I need to use the formula: T= (\muG) /(2Rr) when R is the gas constant and r is the radius (This formula was evaluated from the ideal gas law)… I don't know how to consider the energy per nucleon in this equation…
Could someone help me please…
Thanks! :)
 
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Is there an equation that will give you the temperature of the gas/plasma based on the mass of the object? Would that help at all?
 
Drakkith said:
Is there an equation that will give you the temperature of the gas/plasma based on the mass of the object? Would that help at all?



There is the equation F=-((4*a*c)/(3rho*kappa))*T^3*(dT/dr), but I don't think it's the right equation to use...
 
I wish I could help you further. Perhaps someone else will.
 
ted1986 said:
Hello all!

I have to calculate the required mass to ignite the PP chain when the given temperature is 4*10^6K and \mu=0.62. (I know the answer is about 8% from the sun's mass)…
I don't know exactly how to do it :-/ I know that (R/Rsun)=(M/Msun)^(3/7), The energy per nucleon in PP process is about 6.5MeV… I guess I need to use the formula: T= (\muG) /(2Rr) when R is the gas constant and r is the radius (This formula was evaluated from the ideal gas law)… I don't know how to consider the energy per nucleon in this equation…
Could someone help me please…
Thanks! :)

These lecture notes from an astronomy course might be beneficial...

http://www.ucolick.org/~krumholz/courses/fall09_ast112/notes14.pdf"

...answers the exact question. Of course you could just derive them yourself :-)
 
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