5 points. So the actual mass loss is very small (due to fusion). Only ~10% of the H is fused to He, and in that process 4 protons (or about 4 GeV/c^2) are converted to a He atom and release 26 MeV in energy. So the total mass loss due to radiation of a typical star on the main sequence is about 0.00065 of its total mass.
However, mass loss from winds can be very important, so your analysis is still applicable. Some stars can lose a non-negligible fraction of their mass due to winds, especially in the late stages.
5 points. So the actual mass loss is very small (due to fusion). Only ~10% of the H is fused to He, and in that process 4 protons (or about 4 GeV/c^2) are converted to a He atom and release 26 MeV in energy. So the total mass loss due to radiation of a typical star on the main sequence is about 0.00065 of its total mass.
ReplyDeleteHowever, mass loss from winds can be very important, so your analysis is still applicable. Some stars can lose a non-negligible fraction of their mass due to winds, especially in the late stages.
I hadn't considered that. I didn't even know it was a thing. I'll have to look into that and see what its significance is.
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