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Chapter 15: Problem 28

How does the material in interstellar clouds and intercloud gas differ in density and distribution?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Interstellar clouds are dense and localized; intercloud gas is diffuse and widespread.

Step by step solution

01

- Identify Interstellar Clouds

Interstellar clouds, also known as molecular clouds, are dense regions of dust and gas where new stars are born. Their density is high due to the concentration of matter.
02

- Understand Intercloud Gas

Intercloud gas refers to the vast regions of space between interstellar clouds. This gas typically has a much lower density compared to interstellar clouds.
03

- Compare Densities

Interstellar clouds have a much higher density because they contain concentrated dust and gas particles. In contrast, intercloud gas is more diffuse with fewer particles per unit volume.
04

- Assess Distribution

Interstellar clouds are localized and occupy relatively small volumes of space, while intercloud gas is widely spread out across much larger areas of space.
05

- Summarize Differences

The material in interstellar clouds is denser and localized, whereas intercloud gas is less dense and more widely distributed.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Understanding Molecular Clouds
Molecular clouds, often called stellar nurseries, are fascinating regions in space where new stars are born. They are composed of dense collections of gas and dust, primarily hydrogen molecules. Due to gravitational forces, these clouds have high-density regions. This density enables them to collapse further under gravity, leading to the formation of stars and planetary systems. Sometimes, these clouds are so dense that visible light cannot penetrate them, making them appear dark. Key properties:
  • High gas and dust concentration
  • Primary component: Hydrogen molecules
  • Potential for star formation
Molecular clouds play an essential role in the lifecycle of stars and, consequently, the evolution of galaxies.
Exploring Intercloud Gas
Intercloud gas refers to the vast areas of space between molecular clouds. In contrast to molecular clouds, intercloud gas has a significantly lower density. The term 'intercloud' highlights its position between the more substantial and denser molecular clouds. This gas largely contains ionized hydrogen, and due to its lower density, it spreads widely across enormous regions. Unlike the packed molecular clouds, the particles in intercloud gas are more dispersed. Important characteristics:
  • Low-density gas
  • Widespread distribution across space
  • Composed primarily of ionized hydrogen
Understanding intercloud gas helps astronomers learn about the vast stretches of space where star formation is not active.
Grasping Density Differences
The comparison between molecular clouds and intercloud gas highlights significant density differences. Molecular clouds exhibit high density due to their concentrated matter, primarily in forms of gas and dust. This high density is crucial for star formation. On the other hand, intercloud gas is much less dense. The particles in intercloud gas are spread out, making the space between molecular clouds vast and largely empty. Key points:
  • Molecular clouds: Higher density, localized concentration
  • Intercloud gas: Lower density, widespread distribution
The differences in density between these two types of interstellar material impact where and how new stars and planets are formed.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Assume a brown dwarf has a surface temperature of \(1000 \mathrm{K}\) and approximately the same radius as Jupiter. What is its luminosity compared to that of the Sun? How many brown dwarfs like this one would be needed to produce the luminosity of a star like the Sun?

As a cloud collapses to form a protostar, the forces of gravity felt by all parts of the cloud (which follow an inverse square law become stronger and stronger. One might argue that under these conditions, the cloud should keep collapsing until it becomes a single massive object. Why doesn't this happen?

Stellar radiation can convert atomic hydrogen (H \(\mathrm{I}\) ) to ionized hydrogen (H II). a. Why does a B8 main-sequence star ionize far more interstellar hydrogen in its vicinity than does a Ko giant of the same luminosity? b. What properties of a star are important in determining whether it can ionize large amounts of nearby interstellar hydrogen?

The energy required to begin nuclear fusion originally came from a. the gravitational potential energy of the protostar. b. the kinetic energy of the protostar. c. the wind from nearby stars. d. the pressure from the interstellar medium.

Go to the website for Stardust (http://stardustathome.ssl berkeley.edu), a Citizen Science project that asks Internet users to use a virtual microscope to analyze digital scans of particles collected by the Stardust mission in \(2006 .\) The goal is to identify tiny interstellar dust grains. Follow the four steps under "Get Started" (you need to create a log-in account) and help search for stardust. Click on "News." What has been learned from this project? Remember to save the images for your homework, if required.
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