What is the general requirement for overcoming turbulent pressure compared to only thermal pressure?
Answer
Turbulence generally requires a higher mass concentration to be overcome.
Turbulent pressure contributes significant, velocity-dependent kinetic energy to the outward pressure resisting gravity within star-forming regions. Because turbulence adds an extra layer of kinetic energy beyond the basic thermal motion, the gravitational binding energy required to initiate collapse is substantially higher when turbulence is a dominant factor. Therefore, to overcome turbulence, a localized region must achieve a greater mass concentration—exceeding a higher Jeans Mass—than what would be required if only the less energetic thermal pressure needed to be suppressed.
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