Stellar

Spectra

Lets talk
about

Structure of a
STAR

 Stars are simple, elegant power

sources held together by their
own gravity and supported by
their nuclear fusion.
The variation in temperature,
density, pressure and so on from
the surface of the star to its
center.
A stars structure depends on
how it generates its energy, on

The Four Laws of

Stellar Spectra

First Law:
The laws of Mass
and Energy

 The law of conversion of mass is

a basic law of nature, which can
be applied to the structures of
the stars.
It states that The total mass of
a star must equal to the masses
of its shells.

 The law of conservation of energy is

another basic law of nature.
It states that the amount of energy
flowing out of the top of a layer in the
star must be equal to the amount of
energy coming in at the bottom plus
whatever energy is generated within.

Second
law:
Hydrostati
c
Equilibriu

Hydrostatic
Equilibrium

The balance between weight and

pressure is called Hydrostatic
Equilibrium.
Hydro (from the Greek word for water)
tells you the material is a liquid, the
gases of star and static tells you the fluid
is stable, neither expanding or
contracting.

 The law of hydrostatic equilibrium tells us

that- The pressure in a gas depends on the
temperature and density of the gas.
Near the surface, there is little weight
pressing down, so the pressure need not be
high. Deeper in the star, the pressure must
be higher and that means that the
temperature and density of the gas must
also be higher.
How hydrostatic equilibrium works depends
on what an object is made of.
Hydrostatic equilibrium also applies to
planets including Earth, but Earth is made of
rock and metal.

Third Law:
Energy
Transport

The surface of a star

radiates light and heat into
space and would quickly
cool if that energy were not

The law of energy transport says that energy

must flow from hot regions to cooler regions by:

Conduction
Convection
Radiation

 Conduction is the most familiar form of

heat flow.
Heat in the form of motion among the
molecules of the spoon, is conducted
from molecule to molecule up the
handle, until the molecules of the metal
under your fingers begin to move faster
and you sense heat.
Conduction requires close contact
between the molecules.

 Another familiar experience.

Principal means of energy transport in the
suns interior.
Photons are absorbed and re-emitted in
random directions over and over as they
work their way outward.

 Convection is important in stars

because it carries energy and it
mixes the gas.
Convection currents flowing through
the layers of the star tend to
homogenize the gas, giving it a
uniform composition throughout the
convective zone.