The calculation of atmospheric pressure at the summit of Mount Everest carried out in Example 13.3 used the model known as the isothermal atmosphere, in which gas pressure is proportional to density: \(p=\gamma \rho\), with \(\gamma\) constant. Consider a spherical cloud of gas supporting itself under its own gravitation and following this model. a) Write the equation of hydrostatic equilibrium for the cloud, in terms of the gas density as a function of radius, \(\rho(r) .\) b) Show that \(\rho(r)=A / r^{2}\) is a solution of this equation, for an appropriate choice of constant \(A\). Explain why this solution is not suitable as a model of a star.

To begin understanding an isothermal atmosphere model, imagine a situation where the temperature within a planet's atmosphere remains constant with altitude. Although this is a simplification of real-life atmospheres, it serves as a helpful approximation for some calculations. In this model, the pressure and density of the atmosphere are directly proportional, leading to the equation \(p=\gamma \rho\), where \(\gamma\) is a constant.

This relationship implies that if you characterise the atmosphere's pressure, you can determine its density, and vice versa.

Hydrostatic Equilibrium in the Isothermal Model

In the context of a spherical gas cloud, as presented in the exercise, applying this model is used to derive the forces at play within the structure. The gas cloud is in hydrostatic equilibrium when the inward pull of gravity is exactly balanced by the outward pressure of the gas, ensuring that the cloud doesn't collapse inward or expand outward. The isothermal model aids us in simplifying the equations governing this balance, permitting easier analytical or numerical solutions.

Gravitational force is a fundamental concept not only in physics but also in understanding the stellar structure and the behavior of atmospheric models.

Newton's Law of Gravitation

Sir Isaac Newton postulated that every mass attracts every other mass with a force that is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. Mathematically, this force can be expressed as \(F = G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}\), where \(G\) represents the gravitational constant, \(m_1\) and \(m_2\) are the masses in question, and \(r\) is the distance separating them. In the context of the spherical gas cloud described in the exercise, we use this law to infer the gravitational pull on every segment of the cloud, which is essential in establishing the condition for hydrostatic equilibrium.

Stellar structure refers to the composition and organization of stars, which are massive, spherical bodies composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, operating under principles of plasma physics. Stars maintain their structure through a delicate balance between the gravitational force pulling matter inward and the pressure of nuclear fusion reactions pushing outward.

Why the Isothermal Model Fails for Stars

The density solution \(\rho(r)=\frac{A}{r^2}\) from the isothermal model suggests that density unacceptably skyrockets as we move towards the star's core (\(r\) approaches zero) — fundamentally contradicting our understanding of physical density limitations and core conditions of real stars. In reality, stellar interiors have more complex relationships between pressure, temperature, and density, requiring sophisticated models that account for these interacting processes to describe their structure.