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A protostar compresses primarily due to the gravitational attraction of its accumulating mass from the surrounding molecular cloud. As material falls inward, it gains kinetic energy, which increases the temperature and pressure at the core. This process continues until the conditions are sufficient for nuclear fusion to ignite, marking the transition from a protostar to a main-sequence star. The ongoing gravitational collapse is balanced by thermal pressure from the rising temperature, creating a dynamic equilibrium within the protostar.

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Why does the temperature of a pro star increase over time?

The temperature of a protostar increases over time due to gravitational contraction. As the protostar gathers mass from its surrounding dust and gas, gravitational forces compress the material, raising its temperature. This process continues until the core reaches sufficiently high temperatures for nuclear fusion to ignite, transitioning the protostar into a main-sequence star. Additionally, energy from the infall of material and the release of potential energy during contraction contribute to this increase in temperature.


Do prostars become stars?

The term is "protostar", not "prostar". Yes. A protostar is an early stage of a 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.


Where could one go to see images of a protostar?

To see images of a protostar, one would go inside a Bok Globule. This might be hard to do, considering the fact that a protostar is the gas of a giant molecular cloud. But hey, if you can get there, it'd be a sight to see!


When does the protostar become balanced?

A protostar becomes balanced when the gravitational forces pulling matter inward are balanced by the outward pressure due to nuclear fusion at its core. This marks the transition from a contracting protostar to a stable star in the main sequence phase of its lifecycle.