Projects: Projects, Project Ideas

* Exploding a polytropic star

1. Create a hydrostatic configuration for a polytropic star. Solutions can be derived from the Lane-Emden equation (Lane-Emden equation).
2. For an initial condition, increase the central pressure (and only the central point) by some factor of the hydrostatic value.
3. Evolve the start given this deposition of energy in the center of the star.
4. Find the factor needed to explode the star. Is this derivable analytically?
5. How do trajectories differ when the factor is: half, equal, and twice the critical explosion value?
6. Do all trajectories escape?
7. Assume an initial composition for all fluid elements.
8. How does the composition in each trajectory evolve?
9. What does the final composition of the whole “star” look like?
10. How does the final composition of the escaped trajectories compare to the total?