The early universe was characterized by a much lower metal content than the present universe. What difference did that make to the process of star formation?
A)The first generation of stars had lower metallicity than the present generation, but in each era the formation of large stars and small stars was equally likely.
B)It is easier to make a gas and dust cloud collapse when the metal content is low. Thus, even small stars could be formed in the early universe, but large stars were a rarity.
C)It is harder to make a gas and dust cloud collapse when the metal content is low. Thus, even small stars could be formed in the early universe, but large stars were a rarity.
D)It is harder to make a gas and dust cloud collapse when the metal content is low. Thus, large stars were more likely to be formed in the early universe, but small stars were a rarity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lower metal content in the early universe made it harder for gas and dust clouds to cool and collapse, which is a necessary step in star formation. Metals help in cooling the clouds, facilitating the formation of smaller stars. Without these metals, the clouds would more likely form larger stars, as they could not efficiently cool and fragment into smaller masses.

The Early Universe Was Characterized by a Much Lower Metal