Why did the temperature start to rise at the center of the solar nebula?
A) Supernova explosions were stirring up the material there and causing turbulence.
B) The nebula was contracting, which increased collisions between atoms moving in it.
C) Fusion reactions were beginning in the core, releasing tremendous amounts of heat.
D) Massive stars nearby were heating the nebula with their ultraviolet radiation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nebula was contracting under its own gravity, which increased the kinetic energy of the particles, leading to more collisions and an increase in temperature at the center. This process is a fundamental principle in the formation of stars, where the increase in temperature and pressure eventually leads to nuclear fusion in stars, but the fusion itself is not what initially raises the temperature during the nebula phase.

Why Did the Temperature Start to Rise at the Center