What two forces are balanced inside the sun to keep our star stable?
(2) Which two forces are in balance for a main sequence star? While self-gravity pulls the star inward and tries to make it collapse, thermal pressure (heat created by fusion) pushes outward. These two forces cancel each other out in a main sequence star, thus making it stable.
How does a normal star stay stable?
The Sun and other main sequence stars are fusing Hydrogen into Helium in their cores. This makes stars stable for long periods of time. This stability lasts until the equilibrium is broken. This happens when the star runs out of Hydrogen in its core and the thermal pressure is not sufficient to overcome gravity.
Why does a star stay stable?
All stars are the result of a balance of forces: the force of gravity compresses atoms in interstellar gas until the fusion reactions begin. As long as the inward force of gravity and the outward force generated by the fusion reactions are equal, the star remains stable.
What two forces act on a star?
Gravitational forces act to contract the star. Fusion reactions and heat convection act to expand the star. The two forces are balanced and the star remains stable in size and reactions.
What are the two basic forces that act on a structure?
Engineers determine the loads or external forces that act upon a structure. When external forces are applied to a structure, internal stresses (internal forces) develop resistance to the outside forces. The opposition of external and internal forces is what holds the structure together.
What forces are opposing each other in a star?
When a starbegins to form, two opposing forces are at play. One is the pull of gravitycreating by the rotating gas cloud from which the star is born. Gravity pullsthe gaseous material in, feeding the protostar. The otherforce, called radiation pressure, is generated by the growing star itself.
What forces allow a stable star to exist?
The inward force of gravity is balanced out by the outward force of pressure to keep the star stable. This stable balance, the outward pressure of hot gases balancing the inward pull of gravity is called the hydrostatic equilibrium.