Stars originate as large bodies of slowly rotating gas.Because of gravity, these

Question

Stars originate as large bodies of slowly rotating gas.Because of gravity, these clumps of gas slowly decrease in size.The angular velocity of a star increases as it shrinks because of__. A.) law of universal gravitation B.) conservation of linear momentum C.) conservation of energy D.) conservation of mass E.) conservation of angular momentum Stars originate as large bodies of slowly rotating gas.Because of gravity, these clumps of gas slowly decrease in size.The angular velocity of a star increases as it shrinks because of__. A.) law of universal gravitation B.) conservation of linear momentum C.) conservation of energy D.) conservation of mass E.) conservation of angular momentum

Explanation / Answer

4. Conservation of Angular Momentum

Angular Momentum = I , where I is moment of inertia and is angular velocity

With time, stars decrease in size, so their I decreases. Since there is no external torque on the system, Angular momentum must remain constant i.e. I must be constant. Thus, as I decreases, increases - as mentioned in the question!

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse S
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.