What subtle equilibrium exists within a nebula before gravitational collapse is triggered?
Answer
A near-balance between the outward pressure from its own sparse heat and the relentless inward tug of gravity
Before the transformation into stars begins, the vast, diffuse nebula exists in a precarious, near-equilibrium state. This balance is maintained by two opposing forces inherent to the cloud itself. On one side is the slight outward pressure generated by the sparse heat contained within the gas. Counteracting this is the universal, relentless inward pull exerted by gravity, which seeks to aggregate all the dispersed mass. It is only when gravity successfully overcomes this delicate balance in a localized region that the collapse sequence starts.
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