Why does the Sun not collapse under its enormous weight? a) The Sun is about 4.6 billion years old. If it could have collapsed by now , it would have. b) Because the Sun is in hydrostatic equilibrium. c) Because the Sun is not in hydrostatic equilibrium. d)More than one of the above.
Why does the Sun not collapse under its enormous weight? a) The Sun is about 4.6 billion years old. If it could have collapsed by now , it would have. b) Because the Sun is in hydrostatic equilibrium. c) Because the Sun is not in hydrostatic equilibrium. d)More than one of the above.
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Why does the Sun not collapse under its enormous weight?
a) The Sun is about 4.6 billion years old. If it could have collapsed by now , it would have.
b) Because the Sun is in hydrostatic equilibrium.
c) Because the Sun is not in hydrostatic equilibrium.
d)More than one of the above.
Expert Solution

Explanation :
- The Sun does not collapse under its enormous weight. This is because of hydrostatic equilibrium.
- In the core of the Sun, the fusion of Hydrogen into Helium creates thermal pressure, pushing the core outwards.
- The mass of the Sun creates gravitational pressure. This pushes the material of the Sun inwards.
- These two pressures balance each other, thus creating a hydrostatic equilibrium.
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