Solve Mass of Star Problem: Astronomy Class Final Year

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In summary, The conversation discusses a math problem related to astronomy, specifically about the density of a star. The person has been working on the problem for 3 hours and is struggling to make sense of it. They question the correctness of the question and bring up a potential error in the expression for the density. It is suggested that integrations must be done in order to derive the total mass.
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jimmyd
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hi, this is my first post here as i have driven insane by a math problem for my final year astronomy class, I've been at it for 3 hours and i can't make sense of it

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is the question even correct as i have made the assumption that the volume of a sphere times the density would give me 4 were there is a 2 and the density p instead of the density constant pc?
 
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The density of the star is not constant throughout its volume. The expression for the density in section (1a) should be written

ρ(r) = ρ[itex]_{c}[/itex](1 - (r/R)[itex]^{3}[/itex])

for clarity. In order to derive M(r) and the total mass, you must do some integrations.
 

FAQ: Solve Mass of Star Problem: Astronomy Class Final Year

What is the mass of a star?

The mass of a star is a measure of the amount of matter contained within it. It is typically measured in units of solar mass, which is equivalent to the mass of our sun.

How is the mass of a star calculated?

The mass of a star can be calculated using various methods, such as measuring its orbital motion or analyzing its spectral lines. These techniques rely on the laws of gravity and the properties of light.

Why is knowing the mass of a star important?

The mass of a star is important because it determines its life cycle and characteristics. It affects the star's brightness, temperature, and lifespan. It also plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of planetary systems.

How does the mass of a star change over time?

The mass of a star does not change significantly over its main sequence lifetime. However, as it evolves, a star's mass can increase or decrease depending on its interactions with other stars and its own nuclear fusion processes.

What are some techniques used to measure the mass of a star?

In addition to the methods mentioned in question 2, other techniques used to measure the mass of a star include astrometry, which measures the star's position in the sky, and gravitational microlensing, which observes the bending of light around a star caused by its mass.

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