Author Question: What factors can complicate the collapse of an interstellar cloud into a star? What will be an ... (Read 82 times)

hbsimmons88 · **on:** Jul 27, 2018

What factors can complicate the collapse of an interstellar cloud into a star?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How does Pluto's behavior at perihelion support its planetary status?

What will be an ideal response?

af · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The initial spin of the cloud and the conservation of angular momentum result in the cloud flattening into a rapidly rotating disk. For the disk not to fly apart requires a larger mass to produce sufficiently strong gravity to hold the disk together. Magnetic fields can hinder the collapse in a direction perpendicular to the field lines. The ionized gas is tied to the magnetic field and the field is pulled in by the gas. The ionized gas responds more to the magnetic field than it does to gravity.

Answer to Question 2

It develops a temporary atmosphere, much like a comet's coma.