Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2019/iii/paper-317/1/i/solution

Assume stellar homology: fixed dimensionless profiles, uniform fixed composition, negligible radiation pressure, ideal gas support, and radiative transport throughout the model. Mass conservation gives . The hydrostatic pressure support equation gives ; combining with gives .
Integrating specific proton–proton chain energy generation over mass gives
For radiative diffusion in a star, , hence . With the Kramers' opacity law ,
Equating generated and transported luminosity gives , so the radiative homology with proton-proton burning and Kramers opacity relation is
The proportionality constants are fixed only within the adopted homologous family, not for arbitrary evolving stars.

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