In-Class Assignment 10

In-Class Assignment 10#

Exploring Heat Transfer via Convection with MESA#

Learning Objectives#

  • identify convective and radiative regions using MESA models and analytical expressions

  • explain convective behavior in advanced burning massive stars

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import pandas as pd

Download the following model files locally. These data were produced using the 20M_pre_ms_to_core_collapse test suite.

# load data and see which variables are available
##ms = pd.read_csv('15m_ms_profile.data',sep=r'\s+',header=4)
##ms.columns

# example reading a variable from the profile data
##ms_gradT = ms['gradT']
##ms_gradT

Convection in Massive Stars#

Using the 15\(M_\odot\) model MESA profile:

a.#

Using the 15m_ms_profile.data profile.

  1. Compute the adiabatic temperature gradient using HKT 3.99 for \(\nabla_{\rm{ad}}\) and the profile plot data.

  2. Plot the computed \(\nabla_{\rm{ad}}\) and \(\nabla_{\rm{actual}}\) from the MESA profile gradT as a function of mass.

Where is the model convective?

Compare with Pols Fig. 5.4.

## b results here

b.#

Add the radiative gradient \(\nabla_{\rm{rad}}\) (gradr) and the \(\nabla_{\rm{ad}}\) (grada) computed by MESA on the same plot.

Do they agree with your computed \(\nabla_{\rm{ad}}\)?

## b results here

c.#

Using the 15m_core_O_burning_profile.data profile.

Plot \(\nabla_{\rm{ad}}\), \(\nabla_{\rm{actual}}\), and \(\nabla_{\rm{rad}}\) from the MESA profile.

Where is the model convective?

## c results here

d.#

Using the 15m_core_O_burning_profile.data profile.

Plot mu from the MESA profile.

Comment briefly on the behavior of mu inside and outside of convective regions.

## d results here
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