What role do slight density variations within initial interstellar material clouds play in star formation?
Answer
They serve as gravitational seeds initiating a runaway effect
The process of star formation begins with slight, naturally occurring non-uniformities in the density distribution within the enormous, tenuous clouds of interstellar material. These minor variations act as crucial gravitational seeds. A pocket that is even slightly denser than its immediate surroundings will possess a marginally stronger gravitational influence, causing it to attract slightly more surrounding matter. This influx of additional mass further strengthens the local gravity, creating a positive feedback loop or 'runaway effect' where the denser region continues to pull in more matter until fragmentation and significant collapse occur.
Related Questions
What omnipresent force acts as the chief architect in bringing stars into existence?What scientific term names the stellar cradles often referred to as nebulae?What approximate central temperature must a collapsing core reach to initiate nuclear fusion?What state is achieved when outward thermal pressure exactly balances the inward squeeze of gravity?What is the contracting, heating mass termed before it can sustain thermonuclear reactions?What object stabilizes if the accumulating core mass fails to reach the critical threshold of 0.08 Solar Masses?What structure forms around the protostar due to the conservation of angular momentum?Which event can act as an initial trigger causing a molecular cloud to begin gravitational collapse?How does the gravitational force of a high-mass star affect its fuel consumption rate compared to low-mass stars?What role do slight density variations within initial interstellar material clouds play in star formation?