Structure and Evolution of Single Stars

An introduction

By (author) James MacDonald

Publication date:

01 December 2015

Length of book:

186 pages

Publisher

Morgan & Claypool Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781681741055

BOOK DESCRIPTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Structure and Evolution of Single Stars: An introduction is intended for upper-level undergraduates and beginning graduates with a background in physics. Following a brief overview of the background observational material, the basic equations describing the structure and evolution of single stars are derived. The relevant physical processes, which include the equation of state, opacity, nuclear reactions and neutrino losses are then reviewed. Subsequent chapters describe the evolution of low-mass stars from formation to the final white dwarf phase. The final chapter deals with the evolution of massive stars.

Table of Contents: Observational background / The equations of stellar structure: mass conservation and hydrostatic equilibrium / Energy considerations, the source of the Sun's energy, and energy transport / Convective energy transport / The equations of stellar evolution and how to solve them / Physics of gas and radiation / Ionization and recombination / The degenerate electron gas / Polytropes and the Chandrasekhar mass / Opacity / Nuclear reactions / Neutrino energy loss processes / Homology relations / Hydrogen main sequence stars / Helium main sequence stars / The Hayashi line / Star formation / Evolution on the main sequence and beyond / Evolution on the red giant branch / Evolution from red giant to white dwarf / Evolution of massive stars