What force must overcome internal pressure for star birth in dense clouds?
Answer
Mutual gravitational attraction between particles.
Star formation hinges on a critical tipping point where the self-gravitation of the cloud material overcomes the forces resisting collapse. The gas within the cloud possesses internal heat and turbulence, which create an outward pressure opposing gravity. For gravitational collapse to initiate the formation of a protostar, the mutual gravitational attraction exerted by the mass of the cloud particles on each other must become stronger than this combined internal outward pressure. Once gravity dominates, the inward collapse begins, leading to increased density and subsequent heating necessary for fusion.
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