What is meant by hydrostatic equilibrium?

In fluid mechanics, hydrostatic equilibrium (hydrostatic balance, hydrostasy) is the condition of a fluid or plastic solid at rest, which occurs when external forces, such as gravity, are balanced by a pressure-gradient force.

What is hydrostatic equilibrium and how is it achieved in stars?

A star’s life is a constant struggle against the force of gravity. Gravity constantly works to try and cause the star to collapse. The star’s core, however is very hot which creates pressure within the gas. This pressure counteracts the force of gravity, putting the star into what is called hydrostatic equilibrium.

What is hydrostatic equilibrium in the sun?

Hydrostatic Equilibrium: In the interior of a star, the inward force of gravity is exactly balanced at each point by the outward force of gas pressure. The mutual gravitational attraction between the masses of various regions within the Sun produces tremendous forces that tend to collapse the Sun toward its center.

During which stages of a star’s life is the star in hydrostatic equilibrium?

A star is in hydrostatic equilibrium when the outward push of pressure due to core burning is exactly in balance with the inward pull of gravity. When the hydrogen in a star’s core has been used up, burning ceases, and gravity and pressure are no longer in balance.

What is the hydrostatic relationship?

∂z = −gρ. This is the hydrostatic equation. The negative sign ensures that the pressure decreases with increasing height. That is, the pressure at height z is equal to the weight of the air in the vertical column of unit cross-sectional area lying above that level.

What are the two forces responsible for hydrostatic equilibrium of a star choose the two that apply?

For the majority of the life of a star, the gravitational force (due to the mass of the star) and the gas pressure (due to energy generation in the core of the star) balance, and the star is said to be in ‘hydrostatic equilibrium’.

How is hydrostatic equilibrium in a star is determined by mass?

Greater gravity compresses the gas, making it denser and hotter, so the outward pressure increases. In any given layer of a star, there is a balance between the thermal pressure (outward) and the weight of the material above pressing downward (inward). This balance is called hydrostatic equilibrium.

When a star is in hydrostatic equilibrium at each layer of the star the inward pull of gravity?

Are all stars in hydrostatic equilibrium?