Force dynamics and the gravitational collapse of compact stellar objects

Abstract We investigate the nature of the forces involved during the collapse of a compact stellar object such as an unstable neutron star. The collapse ensues from an initial static configuration described by the Vaidya–Tikekar solution until the time of formation of the horizon. As the object collapses it radiates energy to the exterior spacetime in the form of a radial heat flux. The matching of the interior to the exterior Vaidya spacetime determines the temporal behaviour of the solution. Utilizing a dynamical Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equation, we investigate the evolution of the various forces at play within the collapsing fluid sphere. A novel connection has been made between structurally fundamental quantities (forces) and the spacetime geometry of the gravitational formalism used