What energy conversion occurs as a molecular core undergoes gravitational collapse?
Answer
Gravitational potential energy converts to heat
As a dense core collapses under its own immense gravity, the material falls inward over vast distances. The gravitational potential energy that is lost by this falling material is not simply dissipated; instead, it is directly converted into thermal energy. This conversion occurs primarily due to friction and the intense compression experienced by the gas and dust as they are squeezed into a smaller volume. This resulting increase in temperature is the fundamental first step in warming the raw material sufficiently to eventually trigger nuclear fusion.
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