Why doesn't the sun collapse under the force of gravity?

Answer 1

the dominant force resisting gravity in the sun is simple gas pressure. however, this would not be sufficient were it not for the energy being released by the nuclear reactions in the core of the sun. the energy released in the core pushes the material outwards a little as it escapes, providing just enough additional outward pressure to balance gravity and hold the star in equilibrium.

Answer 2

Even though the Sun is much larger and more massive than the Earth, it's so far away that its gravity is comparatively weaker than the Earth's. After all, you're standing directly on the Earth and the Sun is 150,000,000 km away (give or take a few).

Gravity decreases with the square of the distance between any 2 objects. That means that if you move the objects twice as far apart as they were before, the gravitational pull between them is only 1/4 as strong; if you move them 10 times as far gravity drops to 1/100 of the original force.

Answer 3

There is the small matter of the continuous nuclear fusion in its core ... like millions of

hydrogen bombs exploding continuously and simultaneously ... that provides force in

the outward direction.

Answer 4

It isn't that strong. In any case, it also pulls the Earth.

It isn't that strong. In any case, it also pulls the Earth.

It isn't that strong. In any case, it also pulls the Earth.

It isn't that strong. In any case, it also pulls the Earth.

Answer 5

Because even though the sun's gravity is much stronger than Earth's overall, Earth's gravity is stronger on Earth's surface and in space around Earth because Earth is 93 million miles from the sun.

Answer 6

It's doing both, all the time. A star exists in a delicate balance; the nuclear fusion process going in within the core of the Sun is equivalent to millions of nuclear bombs going off every second, while the mass of the Sun produces such intense gravity that the Sun is constantly being crushed. The expansive force of fusion exactly equals the compressive force of gravity.

Answer 7

Because the temperature of the core keeps the Sun in hydrostatic equilibrium.

See related question.

Answer 8

Because the Earth's gravity is strong enough to keep you on, and the sun only keeps the Earth in orbit.

Answer 9

Because the force of gravity is diluted by distance. We are far enough from the Sun that it can't just pull you off the Earth.

Answer 10

The tremendous outward pressure of the energy generated at it's core balances the gravitational force exactly. It is known as "hydrostatic equilibrium".

See related question.