Self-Regulation of Star Formation Rates: an Equilibrium Vieww

In this talk, I will present a theoretical and numerical framework for self-regulation of the star formation rates (SFRs) in disk galaxies. The theory assumes (1) force balance between pressure support and the weight of the interstellar medum (ISM), (2) thermal balance between radiative cooling in the ISM and heating via FUV radiation from massive young stars, and (3) turbulent energy balance between dissipation in the ISM and driving by momentum injection of SNe. Numerical simulations show vigorous dynamics in the ISM at all times, but with proper temporal and spatial averages, all the expected balances hold. This leads to a scaling relation between mean SFRs and galactic gas and stellar properties, arising from the fundamental relationship between SFR surface density and the total midplane pressure.