What complex mechanism is proposed to explain how the Sun retained only 1% of the system's total angular momentum?

Answer

Magnetic fields coupling spin to disk material

A significant challenge in understanding the solar system's formation relates to the distribution of angular momentum. While the central mass, the protostar, accumulated the vast majority of the system's mass, it ended up retaining only about 1% of the total angular momentum. This implies that a substantial portion of the initial spin had to be effectively transferred outward to the surrounding material. Modern theory suggests that this transfer mechanism is highly complex, likely involving strong magnetic fields generated by the hot central object. These magnetic fields are thought to couple the rapidly spinning protostar to the slower-moving gas and dust in the surrounding disk, effectively transferring rotational energy outward as the disk material slowly falls onto the star, thus braking the star's spin.

What complex mechanism is proposed to explain how the Sun retained only 1% of the system's total angular momentum?

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physicsastronomysolar systemstar formationnebular collapse