If the initial interstellar cloud in star formation has a mass sufficient to form hundreds ofstars, how does a single star form from it?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The initial interstellar cloud in star formation can fragment into smaller clouds due to various factors like turbulence, gravity, and magnetic fields. These smaller clouds can then collapse under their own gravity to form multiple stars at once. This process is known as clustered star formation. Therefore, it is possible for a cloud with enough mass to form hundreds of stars to fragment and form many stars simultaneously. The initial interstellar cloud in star formation is typically large enough to have the potential to form hundreds of stars. However, the cloud is not homogeneous and will begin to fragment into smaller, denser regions that will eventually form individual stars. These fragments will continue to collapse under gravity, eventually reaching a high enough temperature and density for nuclear fusion to begin at the center, forming a single star. This process can result in the formation of multiple stars at the same time within the larger cloud, but each individual star forms from a smaller, fragmented region.

If the Initial Interstellar Cloud in Star Formation Has a Mass