Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation

The Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff (TOV) equation describes the balance of forces in a neutron star, a dense remnant left after a massive star collapses. It relates the star's pressure, density, and gravitational effects under the principles of General Relativity. In simple terms, it helps scientists understand how matter behaves under extreme conditions where gravity is incredibly strong, allowing them to determine how massive a neutron star can be before it collapses into a black hole. The TOV equation is crucial for studying the structure and stability of these exotic celestial objects.