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A protostar heats up internally as it contracts due to the gravitational potential energy being converted into thermal energy. The collapse of the gas cloud causes an increase in density and pressure, leading to a rise in temperature at the core. This process eventually triggers nuclear fusion and marks the start of a star's life cycle.

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why is a protostar the second phase of a star's life?

A protostar is the second phase of a star's life because it forms after a molecular cloud collapses under its own gravity, leading to the accumulation of material in a dense core. This core heats up as it contracts, eventually reaching temperatures and pressures sufficient to initiate nuclear fusion. The protostar stage is characterized by the gathering of mass and the development of a surrounding disk of gas and dust, which can eventually form planets. Once nuclear fusion begins in the core, the protostar evolves into a main sequence star.


What happens when matter is pulled into a protostar?

When matter is pulled into a protostar, it heats up and increases in density. This process leads to the formation of a protostar as gravitational forces pull matter towards the center, eventually igniting nuclear fusion and forming a stable star.


A newly formed protostar will radiate primarily at which wavelength?

A newly formed protostar will radiate primarily in the infrared wavelength range. This is because the protostar is still in the process of contracting and heating up, emitting energy as thermal radiation at longer wavelengths as it evolves towards becoming a main sequence star.


What is the first stage of star creation?

A star's first life stage is called a protostar. The formation starts in a region of space with accumulated gas and dust, called a nebula. The attraction of gravity between the atoms of gas and grains of dust causes a small area of this nebula to collapse into a smaller, rotating cloud of dust and gas. More material is then drawn in, and the mass at its core increases and the temperature climbs. If the core gets hot enough, it will begin to glow. That is the protostar.


How can an ectotherm warm up in the cold?

An ectotherm can warm up in the cold by seeking out a warm environment, such as a sunny spot or a sheltered area with higher temperatures. They may also increase their activity levels to generate more body heat through movement. Some ectotherms can also adjust their metabolism to produce heat internally.

Related Questions

Explain why a protostar heats up internally as its gravitationally contracts?

As a protostar contracts under gravity, its gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, increasing the speed and temperature of the particles. This increase in kinetic energy results in collisions that generate heat. The protostar continues to contract and heat up until internal pressures and temperatures are enough to initiate nuclear fusion and establish equilibrium between inward gravitational forces and outward radiation pressure.


What state of matter expands with cold and contracts with heat?

Well, solids. For example, when you heat up metal is expands and when you freeze it, it contracts


What is the temperature of a protostar?

the color of the protostar is red


What happens to the surface temperature and luminosity when gravity first assembles a protostar from a collapsing cloud?

As gravity collapses the cloud to form a protostar, the temperature and luminosity both increase. The increase in temperature is due to the compression of material, causing the protostar to heat up as energy is released. The increase in luminosity is a result of the protostar radiating this energy.


What is the beginning stage in the formation of a star called?

The beginning stage in the formation of a star is called a protostar. This is when a dense core within a molecular cloud begins to accumulate gas and dust, causing it to heat up and eventually become a star.


What stage comes after nebula in the star stage?

The stage that comes after the nebula in the star's life cycle is the protostar stage. During this stage, gravity causes the gas and dust within the nebula to clump together and heat up, eventually forming a dense, hot core. This marks the beginning of nuclear fusion within the protostar.


why is a protostar the second phase of a star's life?

A protostar is the second phase of a star's life because it forms after a molecular cloud collapses under its own gravity, leading to the accumulation of material in a dense core. This core heats up as it contracts, eventually reaching temperatures and pressures sufficient to initiate nuclear fusion. The protostar stage is characterized by the gathering of mass and the development of a surrounding disk of gas and dust, which can eventually form planets. Once nuclear fusion begins in the core, the protostar evolves into a main sequence star.


Is a new star called a protostar?

Yes, a new star that is in the process of formation is called a protostar. It is the early stage in the life cycle of a star when gravitational forces are causing gas and dust to condense and heat up, eventually leading to nuclear fusion and the birth of a stable star.


What process causes a star to begging burning?

The protostar material contracts due to gravity; this heats it up, and increases the pressure. Eventually, the core gets hot enough to sustain nuclear fusion. For more details, read about protostars.


What size is a protostar?

Protostars can be a mix of colors usually orange, red ,purple , blue, and yellow.


How does heat build up in a protostar?

What a nice question. Gravity is a major force, and in so acting, it brings the various atoms and molecules closer together. This necessarily includes their state of energy - if an atom had a certain kinetic energy, then even when compressed with similar, one would now have a higher density of energy within the new smaller volume.


What do stars start out as in the process of their formation and evolution?

Stars start out as clouds of gas and dust in space. Through the process of gravitational collapse, these clouds condense and heat up, eventually forming a protostar. As the protostar continues to accumulate mass, nuclear fusion reactions begin in its core, leading to the birth of a star.