Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2019 iii Paper 317 1 iv Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
Retain the same stellar homology and gas-pressure assumptions, but use the specified CNO cycle law and constant electron-scattering opacity. The nuclear luminosity now scales asThe radiative diffusion in a star scaling becomesEquating the two yields . Therefore radiative homology with CNO burning and electron scattering givesSince , the Stefan–Boltzmann law givesThis is a model comparison using the exponent 16 prescribed here. Actual massive stars may have appreciable radiation pressure and convective cores, which violate the assumptions of this purely radiative gas-pressure family.