Abstract
It has been pointed out by Thomas that, if a solution of the equations of equilibrium for a slowly contracting or expanding fluid sphere has been obtained, the exact conditions of dynamical stability can be applied without difficulty. A particular solution of the equations of radiative equilibrium for a fluid sphere contracting homologously without internal generation of energy has been obtained. The opacity was assumed to obey Kramers formula. By assuming a central temperature and total pressure of the order of magnitude expected for stellar interiors, the logarithmic rate of contraction was adjusted so that the boundary conditions, viz., , , for a finite and , were satisfied. This solution has been found to be dynamically stable (at least for radial displacements) for values of the ratios of specific heats of material between and 1 corresponding to all possible values of the specific heat at constant volume of a perfect gas.
- Received 9 December 1931
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.39.525
©1932 American Physical Society