Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2018/iii/paper-317/3/v/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 iii Paper 317 3 v Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
The stellar adiabatic exponent is defined at fixed specific entropy and composition byCombining parts (iii) and (iv), the radiative temperature gradient of the constant-opacity grey atmosphere isFor , the adiabatic temperature gradient is strictly below , and the Schwarzschild criterion is eventually violated. If is constant, solving for the crossing givesAt the radiative gradient approaches marginality from below, so there is no finite crossing in this model. If varies, the conclusion requires its subcritical value to persist in the deep layers. Uniform composition is needed for this use of the Schwarzschild criterion; a composition gradient requires the Ledoux criterion.
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