Emden equation

Emden equation

[′em·dən i‚kwā·zhən]

(astrophysics)

An equation for stellar structure which arises in a model based on the assumption that the star is a gaseous sphere in adiabatic equilibrium, in which the pressure is proportional to ργ, where ρ is the density and γ is a constant; the equation is d ² y/dx ²+ (2/ x) dy/dx + y ⁿ =0, where n =1/(γ - 1), x is proportional to the distance from the center of the sphere, and y is proportional to ρ^{1/ n} . Also known as Lane-Emden equation.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.