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In a protostar, gravity plays a crucial role by pulling gas and dust together from the surrounding molecular cloud. As the material collapses under its own gravitational pull, it increases in density and temperature, eventually leading to the formation of a hot core. This process continues until nuclear fusion begins, marking the transition from a protostar to a main-sequence star. Essentially, gravity is the driving force that initiates star formation and dictates the structure and evolution of the protostar.

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What is matter from nebula that has begun to condense under the weight of gravity to begin formation of star?

The matter from a nebula that has begun to condense under gravity to form a star is called a protostar. As gravity causes the protostar to contract, the core temperatures rise until nuclear fusion ignites, and a star is born. This marks the transition from a cloud of gas and dust to a shining star.


What is the force that turns a nebula into a protostar?

The force that turns a nebula into a protostar is gravity. As regions within a nebula become denser due to slight fluctuations in density, gravity pulls the surrounding gas and dust inward, causing the material to clump together. This process leads to the formation of a protostar as the collapsing material heats up and begins to accumulate mass. Once the temperature and pressure in the core become sufficient to initiate nuclear fusion, the protostar evolves into a main-sequence star.


Why does the temperature of a protostar increase?

The temperature of a protostar increases due to gravitational contraction. As the protostar contracts, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the particles to move faster and collide more frequently, resulting in an increase in temperature. This process eventually leads to the ignition of nuclear fusion and the star's main sequence phase.


What is a star called before it is born?

A star is called a protostar before it begins nuclear fusion in its core and officially becomes a star. During this stage, a protostar is formed from a collapsing cloud of gas and dust, as gravity pulls material together and heats up the core.


What comes first a Nebula or a protostar?

A nebula comes first; it is a large cloud of gas and dust in space. Under the influence of gravity, regions within the nebula can collapse to form a protostar. As the material falls inward, the protostar heats up and begins the process of nuclear fusion, eventually leading to the formation of a star.

Related Questions

Why doesnt a protostar form a black hole?

The pressure within a protostar counters gravity and prevents the star from collapsing further.


What causes interstellar dust and gas to start to contract and form a protostar?

A protostar forms when gravity pulls the dust and gases in a nebula together.


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 matter from nebula that has begun to condense under the weight of gravity to begin formation of star?

The matter from a nebula that has begun to condense under gravity to form a star is called a protostar. As gravity causes the protostar to contract, the core temperatures rise until nuclear fusion ignites, and a star is born. This marks the transition from a cloud of gas and dust to a shining star.


What is the force that turns a nebula into a protostar?

The force that turns a nebula into a protostar is gravity. As regions within a nebula become denser due to slight fluctuations in density, gravity pulls the surrounding gas and dust inward, causing the material to clump together. This process leads to the formation of a protostar as the collapsing material heats up and begins to accumulate mass. Once the temperature and pressure in the core become sufficient to initiate nuclear fusion, the protostar evolves into a main-sequence star.


Why does the temperature of a protostar increase?

The temperature of a protostar increases due to gravitational contraction. As the protostar contracts, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the particles to move faster and collide more frequently, resulting in an increase in temperature. This process eventually leads to the ignition of nuclear fusion and the star's main sequence phase.


Is a protostar in energy balance Why or why not?

A protostar is not in energy balance because it is still in the process of accumulating mass and contracting under gravity. This causes the protostar to release energy as it heats up, but it has not yet reached a stable state of equilibrium where the energy being released is balanced by the energy being generated.


What is it called when the nebula begins collapsing and turning into a small spinning cloud?

This stage is called protostar formation. As the nebula collapses due to gravity, it begins to spin faster and forms a hot, dense core known as a protostar. This marks the beginning of the process that will eventually lead to the formation of a new star.


What is generated by the pressure caused by gravity inside a protostar?

Intense heat. If you are looking for the answer to a crossword puzzle it may just be "heat".


What is a star called before it is born?

A star is called a protostar before it begins nuclear fusion in its core and officially becomes a star. During this stage, a protostar is formed from a collapsing cloud of gas and dust, as gravity pulls material together and heats up the core.


What comes first a Nebula or a protostar?

A nebula comes first; it is a large cloud of gas and dust in space. Under the influence of gravity, regions within the nebula can collapse to form a protostar. As the material falls inward, the protostar heats up and begins the process of nuclear fusion, eventually leading to the formation of a star.


What keeps a protostar from collapsing?

A protostar is supported against gravitational collapse by the outward pressure generated from the heat produced by gravitational contraction. This pressure, known as radiation pressure, acts to counterbalance the force of gravity pulling the protostar inward. As the protostar continues to contract, it eventually reaches a point where nuclear fusion ignites in its core, providing an additional outward pressure that stabilizes the star against collapse.