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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.
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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.
How does a contracting protostar convert gravitational energy into thermal energy?
A contracting protostar converts gravitational energy into thermal energy through gravitational collapse. As the protostar shrinks in size, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the temperature and pressure in the core to increase. This process eventually leads to the ignition of nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of thermal energy in the form of light and heat.
What is the process by which a protostar is heated up to initiate nuclear fusion and become a star?
A protostar is heated up by gravitational forces causing it to contract and increase in temperature. Once the core reaches a high enough temperature and pressure, nuclear fusion reactions begin, releasing energy and making the protostar shine as a star.
How would you use the word energy balance in a sentence?
Energy balance refers to the relationship between the energy consumed through food and drinks and the energy expended through physical activity and metabolic processes. Maintaining a positive energy balance, where energy intake exceeds energy expenditure, can lead to weight gain, while a negative energy balance can result in weight loss.
When does equilibrium occur in a protostar?
Equilibrium in a protostar occurs when the force of gravity pulling matter inward is balanced by the force of radiation or gas pressure pushing matter outward. This typically happens when a protostar reaches the main sequence phase of its evolution, where nuclear fusion in its core stabilizes the star's energy output.
What slow down the contracting of a star forming cloud when it makes a protostar?
trapping of thermal energy inside the protostar
How does the protostar stage of a star's life cycle compare with the main-sequence stage?
A protostar generates energy by friction whereas a main sequence star generates energy by fusion.
How does the protostar stage of a stars life cycle compare with the main sequence stage?
A protostar generates energy by friction whereas a main sequence star generates energy by fusion.
What two forces maintain hydrostatic equilibrium in a protostar?
In a protostar, hydrostatic equilibrium is maintained by the balance between gravitational forces and thermal pressure. Gravity pulls the material inward, causing the protostar to collapse, while thermal pressure, generated by nuclear fusion and the heat from the collapsing gas, pushes outward. When these two forces are in balance, the protostar can maintain a stable structure as it continues to evolve toward becoming a 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 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.
How does a contracting protostar convert gravitational energy into thermal energy?
A contracting protostar converts gravitational energy into thermal energy through gravitational collapse. As the protostar shrinks in size, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the temperature and pressure in the core to increase. This process eventually leads to the ignition of nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of thermal energy in the form of light and heat.
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 is the source of energy as a star evolves from an interstellar cloud to the protostar stage?
The main source of energy during this stage is gravitational potential energy, as gas in the interstellar cloud collapses under gravity to form a protostar. The energy released from this gravitational collapse heats up the material and initiates the process of star formation.
A protostar becomes a star when?
A protostar becomes a star when nuclear fusion begins in its core, converting hydrogen into helium and releasing energy. This process generates enough heat and pressure to balance the force of gravity, causing the protostar to shine brightly as a star.
How does contracting a protostar convert gravitational energy into thermal energy?
Sliding friction tends to convert kinetic energy into thermal energy, thermal energy being heat, kinetic energy being movement.
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.
