Chapter 9 The Main Sequence Four fundamental forces

  • Slides: 27
Download presentation
Chapter 9 The Main Sequence

Chapter 9 The Main Sequence

Four fundamental forces of nature

Four fundamental forces of nature

Hydrostatic equilibrium: negative feedback loop If core T drops, • fusion rate drops, •

Hydrostatic equilibrium: negative feedback loop If core T drops, • fusion rate drops, • core contracts • heats up If core heats up, • fusion rate rises • core expands • cools down

Main sequence stars are modeled as concentric spherical shells in hydrostatic equilibrium Mass element

Main sequence stars are modeled as concentric spherical shells in hydrostatic equilibrium Mass element dm Constant density Inward force = outward force

Binding energy holds a nucleus together: BE = total mass of each individual nucleon

Binding energy holds a nucleus together: BE = total mass of each individual nucleon - mass of nucleus

The Coulomb barrier: 1 in 1085 particles has the energy to cross it

The Coulomb barrier: 1 in 1085 particles has the energy to cross it

Wave function Probability distribution

Wave function Probability distribution

Quantum tunneling

Quantum tunneling

Gamow Peak: energy region where the reaction is more likely to take place Can’t

Gamow Peak: energy region where the reaction is more likely to take place Can’t tunnel through Coulomb barrier Few particles

Another view of Gamow peak

Another view of Gamow peak

One of 3 branches of proton-proton chain

One of 3 branches of proton-proton chain

CNO cycle: C, N O atoms act as catalysts

CNO cycle: C, N O atoms act as catalysts

T-dependence of pp chain and CNO cycle

T-dependence of pp chain and CNO cycle

Solar neutrino problem: Early searches for solar neutrinos only found ~1/3 the expected number

Solar neutrino problem: Early searches for solar neutrinos only found ~1/3 the expected number of neutrinos

Solar neutrino problem: Early searches for solar neutrinos only found ~1/3 the expected number

Solar neutrino problem: Early searches for solar neutrinos only found ~1/3 the expected number of neutrinos Neutrinos apparently can change form. According to nuclear physics theory, this means they must have mass! “flavor oscillation”

Super-Kamiokande in Japan. • 1 km underground (in a mine) • 11, 000 light-detectors

Super-Kamiokande in Japan. • 1 km underground (in a mine) • 11, 000 light-detectors in/around a pool of water • Neutrino can (rarely) interact with a proton • A particle is produced that moves faster than the speed of light in water • Causes an optical “sonic boom”