Eddington limit meaning

The Eddington limit is the maximum luminosity that a star can achieve before the outward radiation pressure overcomes the force of gravity, leading to instability and potential disruption of the star.


Eddington limit definitions

Word backwards notgniddE timil
Part of speech The part of speech of "Eddington limit" is a noun phrase.
Syllabic division Edding-ton lim-it
Plural The plural of Eddington limit is Eddington limits.
Total letters 14
Vogais (3) e,i,o
Consonants (7) e,d,n,g,t,l,m

Eddington Limit is a critical concept in astronomy that defines the maximum luminosity a star can achieve before losing equilibrium between the inward pull of gravity and the outward push of radiation pressure.

Named after the British astrophysicist Sir Arthur Eddington, the Eddington Limit is determined by the balance between the force of gravity pulling inward and the pressure of radiation pushing outward in a star's core.

Importance of Eddington Limit

Understanding the Eddington Limit is crucial for predicting the behaviors of stars, including when they will undergo catastrophic events like supernovae or collapse into black holes.

Calculation of Eddington Limit

The Eddington Limit is calculated based on the balance of gravitational force and radiation pressure in a star's core, considering factors like mass, luminosity, and composition.

When a star approaches or exceeds the Eddington Limit, it may experience instability, leading to variations in its brightness and potentially catastrophic events if the equilibrium is disrupted.

Overall, the Eddington Limit plays a significant role in our understanding of stellar dynamics and the evolution of stars across the universe.


Eddington limit Examples

  1. Scientists use the Eddington limit to determine the maximum brightness a star can achieve.
  2. Astronomers study the Eddington limit to understand the balance between radiation pressure and gravitational pull in stars.
  3. The Eddington limit plays a crucial role in predicting the behavior of supermassive black holes.
  4. Researchers use the Eddington limit to estimate the mass of a black hole by observing its accretion rate.
  5. Understanding the Eddington limit helps astronomers explain the variability in the luminosity of certain celestial objects.
  6. The Eddington limit is a fundamental concept in the study of quasars and active galactic nuclei.
  7. Astrophysicists use the Eddington limit to analyze the impact of gas and dust on the formation of stars.
  8. By studying the Eddington limit, scientists can better comprehend the evolution of galaxies over time.
  9. The Eddington limit provides insights into the mechanisms that regulate the growth and stability of star systems.
  10. Cosmologists investigate the implications of the Eddington limit on the dynamics of the universe as a whole.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 29/03/2024 - 12:45:21