Got Gravitation?

Question

Devise and execute a problem solving strategy that will yield a reasonable physical explanation for how a star is able to resist collapsing under its own gravitational attraction

Answer 1

Sunlight reaches the earth 93 million miles away with an average energy of 2 watts per square centimeter. Back calculate the total energy based on the two dimensional area of the earth and the three dimensional surface of the sun, taking into account the radiation decreases by the inverse of the square of the distance. The ideal gas law will give an approximate idea of the pressure exerted by the gas comprising the sun, given its volume, temperature and mass. If everything is calculated correctly, the inward force of gravity ought to balance the outward force of pressure and both calculations ought to give the same answer in terms of volume.