Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2023 iii Paper 317 4 iii Solution 2026-09-28
Uniform composition and adiabatic convection give for a monatomic perfect gas. Hence near the centreThe luminosity equation isSince , integration givesSimilarly,
The radiative temperature gradient isExpanding and all the preceding factors giveswhereThe Schwarzschild criterion requiresfor the centre to be convectively unstable. If , the radiative gradient decreases outward and can cross , producing a finite convective core.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2023 iii Paper 317 4 i Solution 2026-09-28
LetA displaced fluid element remains in pressure balance, changes temperature adiabatically, and retains its composition. Comparing its density with the environment after an upward displacement gives the Ledoux criterion for stability,The reverse inequality causes convection. For uniform composition, or if composition is ignored, and this reduces to the Schwarzschild criterionfor stability. A molecular weight increasing inward has and stabilizes the stratification.